The Hawai'i Institute of Pacific Agriculture - HIP Agriculture

The Hawai'i Institute of Pacific Agriculture - HIP Agriculture HIP Agriculture is an educational farm hub located in North Kohala We have been offering educational programs at Halawa Farm since late 2011.

The Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture (HIP Agriculture) is a non-profit organization located in North Kohala focused on teaching and living a model of sustainability through direct engagement with land stewardship and service to youth and communities. The mission of their organization is to practice and teach regenerative agriculture through field trips, workshops, and mentorship. At our main campus, Halawa Farm, we cultivate a diverse collection of native Hawai'ian and Polynesian plants, tropical fruit orchards, perennial vegetable and medicine crops, and a market garden where we grow food for our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program and local farmers market. We practice permaculture and regenerative agriculture farming techniques, and raise small scale poultry, livestock and bees. The farm is the base of operations for our nonprofit educational organization which is the home of our K-20 youth programs, residential farmer trainings, and community events and workshops. Our programs include: farm field trips, in-school workshops, High School Mentorship & Internship, Post-secondary Apprenticeship, Farm to School and Garden to Cafeteria Initiatives plus a food aggregation center called, the Kohala Food Hub. We are active members of our island community, and provide on-going consultation and mentorship for a number of local food, education and permaculture projects.

Lately at HIP Ag 🌱🌧️🍄‍🟫We’ve been getting things growing at KHS Kohala High School Natural Resouces Program⁣ & FFA - pla...
09/13/2026

Lately at HIP Ag 🌱🌧️🍄‍🟫

We’ve been getting things growing at KHS Kohala High School Natural Resouces Program⁣ & FFA - planting seeds and lettuce, pressure washing the greenhouse, assembling a new harvest supply shed, and putting together a new farm cart. 🌀 Lots of hands-on work to get the school garden growing and ready to supply fresh produce to the Kohala Cafeteria through the Garden to Cafeteria program! 🥬

In between: beet + kalo parties, storm walks, wild walks along the stream, pretty plants, and all the little summer treats that make farm life so sweet.

And from the wild to the kitchen - 🍄‍🟫 Almond Agaricus collected by Erika’s daughter, plus an okra + beef dish that was such a hit, her other daughter requested it weekly. Safe to say we’re loving the okra around here.

Growing, gathering, cooking, building, wandering - just a few scenes from life lately at HIP Ag. 🤸🏾‍♂️🌿

🌱 SAVE THE DATE 🪏Join us for HIP Agriculture’s second annual Soil Symposium on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Starseed R...
09/08/2026

🌱 SAVE THE DATE 🪏

Join us for HIP Agriculture’s second annual Soil Symposium on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Starseed Ranch in Kapaʻau!

We’re bringing farmers, gardeners, educators, and community members together for a full day of hands-on learning, farm-fresh food, live music, and connection. 🤸🏾‍♂️

Workshops will explore Korean Natural Farming, mushroom cultivation, and native plant restoration - more details to come!

📅 Saturday, November 7
⏰ 9am–6pm
📍 Starseed Ranch | Kapaʻau, Hawaiʻi

Advance registration will be required, but it is not open just yet. Save the date and stay tuned.

We’ll share registration and the full event lineup soon! 🍄🌿

Come spend a day on the farm with us! 🤎We’re looking for volunteers to join the HIP Agriculture team for an ʻawa harvest...
09/01/2026

Come spend a day on the farm with us! 🤎

We’re looking for volunteers to join the HIP Agriculture team for an ʻawa harvest on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 8am–5pm.

Come learn, lend a hand, connect with community, and help us bring in the harvest. We’ll provide a farm-fresh lunch for everyone who joins us. 🥗

Space is limited, so please register ahead of time through the link in our bio or by scanning the QR code on the flyer.

📍 HIP Agriculture
📅 Thursday, September 10
⏰ 8am–5pm
🥗 Farm-fresh lunch provided

Mahalo for helping us mālama the land and the abundance it provides. 🌿

Save the date for the 2026 Hip Ag Soil Symposium 🪏 NOV. 7 at Starseed Ranch 🌱There’s something special about gathering o...
09/01/2026

Save the date for the 2026 Hip Ag Soil Symposium 🪏 NOV. 7 at Starseed Ranch 🌱

There’s something special about gathering on the land to learn, share knowledge, get our hands in the soil, and deepen our relationship with the systems that feed us. 🌀

We’re excited to bring the community together again! 🤝This year’s gathering will include workshops in mushroom cultivation, native plants, and Korean Natural Farming, plus live music, a farm-fresh lunch, and plenty of opportunities to learn and connect.

For now, save the date! More details + registration coming soon. 🌿

A 24 lb labor of love! 🎃🌱Grown with aloha by Coconut Chris, this 24 lb beauty made its way to the farm for a full pumpki...
08/14/2026

A 24 lb labor of love! 🎃🌱

Grown with aloha by Coconut Chris, this 24 lb beauty made its way to the farm for a full pumpkin processing day - prepping, chopping + preserving all that goodness for some upcoming farm-to-table lunches. 🤎

Nothing better than seeing food go from the ʻāina to the table. 🌿🍽️

From canoe crops to the kitchen 🌱🥥Chef Erika led a hands-on cooking class exploring tropical starches, coconut, and some...
08/10/2026

From canoe crops to the kitchen 🌱🥥

Chef Erika led a hands-on cooking class exploring tropical starches, coconut, and some of her favorite tips and tricks for bringing these ʻāina-grown staples to the table.

On the menu: kalo crust pesto pizza 🍕 + cassava mochi muffins 🧁

Learning, cooking, and connecting with the foods that have nourished Hawaiʻi for generations. 🤸🏽🤎

Mahalo to Mia and the incredible team at TKC for welcoming our new apprentices for a morning rooted in learning, mālama ...
08/05/2026

Mahalo to Mia and the incredible team at TKC for welcoming our new apprentices for a morning rooted in learning, mālama ʻāina, and connection. 🌿

Together, we deepened our understanding of the Niuliʻi ahupuaʻa, the significance of ulu hala and pū hala, the practice of kilo, and the stewardship journey TKC has embraced through this kuleana.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to build pilina, learn from those who care for these places so deeply, and continue growing together as stewards of Hawaiʻi’s lands and communities.

Mahalo nui for sharing your ʻike and inspiring the next generation. 💚

Some moments from life on and around the farm lately. 🌱From visiting Kawanui Farm and learning from longtime seed stewar...
07/21/2026

Some moments from life on and around the farm lately. 🌱

From visiting Kawanui Farm and learning from longtime seed steward Nancy Redfeather, to celebrating growers like , whose generosity, knowledge, and mentorship have inspired generations of farmers, we’re constantly reminded that agriculture is rooted in community and the sharing of ʻike.

In between field trips, we’ve been enjoying the beauty of night-blooming dragon fruit flowers, harvesting fresh ingredients for meals from the farm (pro tip: thinly shred fennel for the perfect salad!), and taking time to appreciate Hawaiʻi’s abundance—whether that’s gathering birds of paradise before hula or sharing a homegrown kale and fennel salad with lilikoi dressing.

Mahalo to the farmers, mentors, and community members who continue to inspire us every day. 🌿💚

🌱 Ready to grow your knowledge this summer?Join us this August for HIP Agriculture’s Farmer Education Series! Whether yo...
07/11/2026

🌱 Ready to grow your knowledge this summer?

Join us this August for HIP Agriculture’s Farmer Education Series! Whether you’re just getting started or looking to build on your farming skills, these hands-on workshops are designed to support Hawaiʻi’s farmers, gardeners, and food producers through practical learning and community connection.

Topics will include on-farm demonstrations, expert instruction, and opportunities to connect with fellow growers while building skills you can put into practice right away.

🌿 Space is limited, so be sure to register early!
🔗 Sign up through the link in our bio (or visit our website for the full workshop schedule and details).

We can’t wait to learn and grow with you. 🪏

🌱 Hands in the mud, hearts rooted in community.Last month, students from Punahou School’s Sustainability Fellowship join...
07/06/2026

🌱 Hands in the mud, hearts rooted in community.

Last month, students from Punahou School’s Sustainability Fellowship joined our HIP Agriculture summer interns for a morning of planting kalo at the loʻi of ʻAhaʻāina ʻO Niuliʻi.

Together, they planted several cherished kalo varieties, including Manini ʻOwali, Manaulu, Pololū, and Palehua, while learning firsthand about the care, stewardship, and cultural significance of this foundational crop.

Mahalo to everyone who came ready to learn, work, and mālama ʻāina alongside one another. These are the kinds of experiences that grow far beyond the field. 🌿💚

Address

52-4700 Akoni Pule Highway
Kapaau, HI
96755

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