Vision Statement
To be a living ahupuaʻa model grounded in ‘ike kupuna (ancestral knowledge), incorporating modern technology to serve as an educational and cultural resource utilized for sustainable food production, wellness and community enhancement to benefit west Kauaʻi and future generations. Mission Statement
Developing Kamaʻāina by empowering current and future generations to be culturally
centered life-long learners and play fulfill active roles in the community as teachers, leaders, and farmers. Utilizing hands-on education rooted in traditional knowledge and by partnering with existing organizations such as schools, nonprofits, and local businesses, IWIKUA will be a resource for real food and cultural wellness. Mahiʻai
Mauka Farm: Revitalizing our ahupuaʻa starts from the top of the mountain down and it requires a long term vision that requires patience. With our Mauka Farm we will work on a number of Uka based projects including but not limited to: Agroforestry, laʻau lapa au, cultivating orchards, production of lumber, food production, Native plant conservation, and educational certificates in Forestry and Arboriculture. This farm will be diverse in objective as well as implementation of programing but will all serve the purpose of bringing health back to our ahupuaʻa and community. The projects include but are not limited to: Rotational fish ponds, aquaponic food production, drylands farming, soil bioremediation, agriculture research, high school and undergraduate internships, development of CSA, and compost soil building. Fitness
Fitness Training: IWIKUA currently provides a fitness center for our community to utilize because the path to wellness is an individual one. The Academy: This is a sports specific academy for student-athletes all the way from middle school through the college level to develop their best athletic self and learn to be contributing members of society. Community Classes: We offer a Wāhine only fitness class, yoga seminars, and are currently developing ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi fitness classes. Education and Exchange
Wellness Seminars: By hiring Kupuna from our community we will be able to hold a wide variety of seminars for the betterment of our people. The 2016 seminars will include but are not limited to: Nutrition, Lomi Massage, and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. IWI Exchange: This is our Indigenous Leadership High School exchange program. We are working internationally with different first nations, and indigenous tribes in developing this opportunity. Kauaʻi will play host to the 20 student camp in 2016. These same students will visit the Tulalip community in 2017 and possibly be hosted by a Mohawk community in 2018. Internships: One of the larger goals is to assist in creating and perpetuating lifelong learning. By having internships from the High School age through Undergraduate and Graduate level students we will work to empower the next generations ʻaina minded leaders and workers.
