Waimea Valley has received so much support from our local community throughout the years. We are blessed and grateful to know we have a strong support system that has seen us through so much.

One of our goals as stewards of Waimea Valley is to connect and strengthen our relationships with other businesses and organizations who share similar missions as ours, and learn how we can collaborate to reach our goals and involve the local community that we care for so much. One of our biggest supporters and friends is the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawaiʻi. Recently the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation moved to their new home on 8 acres of land in the heart of Haleʻiwa on the North Shore of Oʻahu.

On June 24th the Waimea Valley staff planned a field trip to KHF’s new home and after getting our hands dirty pulling weeds and planting native plants we learned all about the exciting projects they are planning like Kōkua Community Center, the Kōkua Learning Farm, the Kōkua General Store, Kōkua Vintage and the ʻĀINA Farm Stand. A couple of weeks later the KHF team visited Waimea Valley for a special work day in our Hawaiian Flora garden that houses numerous endangered endemic Hawaiian plants and the ‘alae ‘ula, (Hawaiian Gallinule Moorhen) that currently has 3 adults and 3 chicks. This garden was recently dedicated to the Johnson ‘Ohana Foundation who donated $10,000 to Waimea Valley.

It is a special treat to be able to talk story with our neighbors and learn from each other whether its about plants, conservation, Hawaiian culture, business strategies, or sustainability. In the future we hope to connect and collaborate with other local organizations for work days and more! Mahalo nui loa Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation for your time, support and all that you do our community.