Oahu-Waianae Chapter
Chapter Notes: Known as the food basket of Oahu, the Wai'anae Coast is proud to be a new chapter of HFUU formed in September of 2016. The Wai’anae Coast holds some of the most historically and contemporary active farming communities on Oahu. Wai'anae has the largest population of native Hawaiians and is home to several well known establishments concerned with farming, food, health, and education including the Wai'anae Comprehensive Health Center, MAO's youth leadership program, Kahumana Organic Farms and Cafe, Naked Cow Dairy, Ka'ala Farms, Hoa'Aina O Makaha Farm and a range of stores and restaurants that support farmers directly. The mission of our chapter is to bring regional strength to the Wai’anae community through creating and supporting a diverse, sustainable, and cohesive farming community. Come support local agriculture by meeting farmers, community leaders, special guest speakers, and like-minded individuals at our monthly meetings. Bring a dish to contribute to our delicious potluck dinners. This is a family friendly event and is open to anyone and everyone.
Meeting Schedule: 1st Monday of each month.
Meeting Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Meeting Location: Kahumana Organic Farms at 86-660 Lualualei Homestead Road, Wai`anae, HI 96792
Scroll to the bottom for our Community Calendar.
President, Christian Zuckerman, 27, is the farm manager and long-term community member of Kahumana Organic Farms. Christian was raised in Wai’anae and feels a deep connection and commitment to supporting the Wai’anae Coast. After graduating in 2012 from the University of Puget Sound, Christian returned home to Wai’anae and has been an active farmer and supporter of the community ever since.
Vice President, Saleh Azizi, 34, is a farmer, a PhD candidate at UH Manoa, and works at Kahumana Organic Farms with the farm hub. He is passionate about listening to family farmers trials and tribulations and grassroots advocacy. Saleh was born and grew up in Sweden with Persian ethnicity and has lived in Hawaii since 2006.
Secretary, Rachel LaDrig, 26, is a community activist from Michigan. With an unwavering love for our planet, Rachel joined the Kahumana Farm apprenticeship program in May of 2016, with a desire to gain an understanding of the core issues that are so prevalent in our Food Systems today, and how to create a lasting change.
Treasurer, Kellen Smith, 34, is a family farmer and politically active in several education and neighborhood projects on the Wai`anae Coast. He is passionate about advocating for policies that help farmers and advance the health of society. Kellen works with educational sustainability programs full time.