Elepaio Social Services

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Elepaio Social Services Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Elepaio Social Services, Nonprofit Organization, Waianae, HI.

Our mission is to strengthen West Oʻahu ʻohana through Indigenous food sovereignty and access to origin-story foods— restoring people's relationship with ʻāina and food, nourishing families, and cultivating community resilience for generations to come.

Canoe crops are a group of non-native plant and crop species that early Polynesian voyagers carried in their canoes when...
10/15/2026

Canoe crops are a group of non-native plant and crop species that early Polynesian voyagers carried in their canoes when they migrated to and settled the Hawaiian Islands and other Pacific islands.

Our Indigenous Food Systems Team has provided free canoe crops to nearly 500 people in the community. By empowering people to grow their own food, we strengthen our local food security and food system.

10/14/2026

Earlier this week, we spoke with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs about our work to provide food for the Waiʻanae Coast. During the storms, we provided more than 450,000 pounds of food through emergency food distributions. But our work expands beyond pop-up distributions.

We provide free food and meals at our 5 kūpuna pantries.

We partner with 11 public and charter schools for keiki pantries.

We host free cooking and community wellness workshops.

We run Mākeke Wai'anae, a farmers' & green market with the largest SNAP and WIC Doubling Programs in Hawaiʻi.

We give patients money to buy healthy, local produce, including poi, at our farmers markets.

And we give away free fruit trees and plants to help our community grow their own food.

Together, we’re building a stronger food system right here in Waiʻanae.

From hurricanes to wildfires, Oʻahu’s West Coast remains vulnerable to disasters. The Waiʻanae Community Resilience Hub ...
10/14/2026

From hurricanes to wildfires, Oʻahu’s West Coast remains vulnerable to disasters. The Waiʻanae Community Resilience Hub will help our community be more resilient and prepared for emergencies.

Slated to break ground in early 2027, the multimillion-dollar facility will serve as a food bank and emergency food supply during disasters.

The center will also include a certified classroom kitchen, emergency shelter area, and growing fields with crops like ʻulu and niu.

Investing in infrastructure like this today brings us one step closer to building a stronger and healthier Hawaiʻi.

Learn more about the project at: elepaioservices.org/waianae-resilience-hub.

10/05/2026

Did you know that the vibrations from talking to plants have been shown to help with plant growth? This is your sign to start talking to your plants.

Our Indigenous Food Systems Team propagates and grows a variety of plants at our nursery. Having a diverse number of crops helps protect against climate change/weather risks, stops pests from destroying entire food supplies, and makes are food system more resilient.

What kind of plants are you growing in your mala?

10/01/2026

Last month we hosted a workshop around the health benefits of lemongrass and turmeric. Attendees went home with their own plants and recipes.

Lemongrass, when made into tea, can be taken to assist in lowering blood pressure, soothe the digestive system, ease bloating, and soothe stress and anxiety. The plant also acts as an anti-inflammatory that can treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Turmeric (ʻolena) can help fight joint discomfort and inflammation.

Every month we host a free cooking or wellness workshop. Visit www.ElepaioServices.org/Workshops or follow us on social media to hear about upcoming events!

Our Indigenous Food Systems Manager Jesse Mikasobe-Kealiʻinohomoku traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of Agricultural ...
09/28/2026

Our Indigenous Food Systems Manager Jesse Mikasobe-Kealiʻinohomoku traveled to Washington, D.C. as part of Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii’s Agricultural Leadership Program.

During their visit, Jesse and the rest of the cohort met with policymakers and subject-matter experts to learn how agricultural research, advocacy, and federal programs are shaped. They also talked about their perspective work dealing with biosecurity and invasive species, natural disaster mitgation and action, and stable food systems and infrastructure in Hawaiʻi.

Through first-hand exposure to government processes at the state and national level, the program enables participants to engage in critical conversations with the goal of building more sustainable, economically viable, community integrated agricultural and natural resource systems for Hawai‘i.

The manaʻo will help organize the 2026 Hawaiʻi Agricultural Conference from November 9-10. Learn more at: hiagconference.org

09/24/2026

We need volunteers!

Help sort, pack, and distribute food at our kūpuna pantries next week Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30am-noon. Fill out our volunteer form at: elepaioservices.org/volunteer

Monday 9/28 - Community Learning Center at Māʻili

Wednesday 9/30 - Waiʻanae Elementary (across from Pililāʻau Park)

Thursday 10/1 - Hoa ʻĀina o Mākaha (next to Mākaha Elementary)

Our Indigenous Food Systems Specialists Wayson Josue and Faith Ewaliko recently attended the Niu & Kalo Festival at Univ...
09/21/2026

Our Indigenous Food Systems Specialists Wayson Josue and Faith Ewaliko recently attended the Niu & Kalo Festival at University of Hawai'i Maui College Molokaʻi Farm.

They shared how to plant niu and make an ʻapu, while also learning how to press oil from coconut meat. They spoke to elementary students about the significance of niu, replanted coconut at the Nihipali Niu Nursery, and helped maintain the space from deer.

During their trip, they revisited our recent setting of niu seeds from June, which are already sprouting! Mahalo to University of Hawaiʻi Maui College and Molokaʻi Education Center for having us!

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Waianae, HI
96792

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