HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0099.020 2020-2022 f
FIS, A I ' INSTITUTEE OF PACIFIC AGRICULTURE
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RE: Communication No. 99.4,
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Dear Council member Sue Lee Loy, Chair, and members of the Human Services and Social Services Committee,
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HIP Agriculture's non-profit work is to educate the youth about nutrition, train new farmers, grow food and
distribute produce through the Kohala Food Hub (KFH) to our community. We developed the KFH in order to
distribute to Farm to School, local markets, kupuna and families in need. This work is more important than ever in
the context of the global pandemic. This crisis has impacted peoples access to fresh food and more than ever
before our community needs equitable food access, eduction and empowerment to grow their own. When we met
with the Kupuna group from Kohala last spring they let us know they needed fresh fruit and vegetables. We
launched the Kupuna box and it was very successful throughout last year until we ran out of funding.
We are educating and inspiring the youth and young adults to grow food for the community that is essential in this
time.And we are training a next generation of farmers that will be the future food security for our islands. This is a
crucial investment opportunity for the county to make when our island is very food insecure and vulnerable to
supply chain disruptions and shocks to the global economy.
We are grateful to the County of Hawaii and this year's Nonprofit Grant Program Ad-Hoc Committee for
the financial assistance and awards. The absence of the State's Grant in Aid makes the county grants even more
critical for keeping important non-profits serving Hawaii County in this incredible time of need.
Please approve the Hawaii County Councils recommendations that our projects are funded in the amount the
suggested. We would love to host you and Council members to a site visit of our farm and headquarters.
Mahalo,
Dashiell Kuhr
Executive Director
1.
Comm. No.
Ref. To:
Ref. Date MAY-0-4-ZZ-1
ffmPhysical Address: USPS Mailing Address: 808.889.6316
53-378 Pratt Road PO Box 497 www.hipagricuiture.org
8grisultur6 Kapatau, RI 96755 Kapatau, RI 96755 hipagriculture@gmaii.com
The Hawai'i Institute of Pacific Agriculture is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
and EIN 45-2534694.