About Hawai'i Farmers Union Foundation (HFUF)
Formed in 2015, Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation (HFUF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is managed by a Board of Directors representing each of Hawaii’s four counties.
HFUF’s "primary purposes are to support the sovereign right of farmers to create and sustain vibrant and prosperous agricultural communities for the benefit of all Hawaii through various scientific, educational and charitable activities." (Our Bylaws are available upon request.)
HFUF has actively implemented programs in farmer training, Hawaiian agricultural practices, improving soil health, and supporting food hubs among others. Funding has come from a wide range of donors including the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the Atherton Foundation, Kamehameha Schools and Maui County.
Your donations to HFUF are tax deductible as allowed by law. Learn about the Projects we're supporting, make a Donation, or Contact Us with your questions or for more information.
President, Kaipo Kekona and his wife, Rachel Kapu, have four children and are lineal descendants to Maui. Kaipo currently serves as Vice chair on Na Leo Kalele, a 501c3, and is on the board of Na Ai Kane O Maui Cultural Center, also a 501c3, both in Lahaina Maui. Kaipo is on the Aha Moku O Maui Ka'anapali Moku shoreline committee and has been a member of Na Papa Kanaka O Pu'ukohola for the past 16-years. He is passionate towards his Heritage and Culture and has studied under the tutelage of olohe/ali'i Ke'eaumoku Kapu for the past 16-years in the tradition's and religious rites of Hawai'i. Kaipo has donated his services to the Kai'apuni 'O Lahaina Hawaiian immersion school programs, grades K thru 5 for the past 7 years, and now grades 9 thru 11 in the facilitation of their agricultural education programs. Kaipo strongly believes in the importance of generational knowledge to ensure a healthy thriving and a functional society and environment.
Vice President, Christian Zuckerman is a dedicated farmer and agricultural leader based in Waiʻanae, Oʻahu, with a strong commitment to regenerative and organic farming practices. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound in 2012, he returned home to Hawaiʻi and has been farming and supporting Hawaiʻi’s food system ever since. In 2022, he launched Ridgeline Farms, a 7-acre regenerative farm in Waiʻanae, and provides agricultural and food system consulting to promote sustainability in Hawaiʻi. His work emphasizes food sovereignty, community resilience, and revitalizing local agriculture.
Secretary, Maureen Datta, V.P. & co-owner of Adaptations, Inc., a regional food hub in Kealakekua. Maureen oversees the consolidation of the harvests from about 75 Hawai'i island family farms and distributes the produce to more than 65 restaurants, 6 local processors, 15 natural food stores and 375 families through their CSA, Fresh Feast. Maureen lives with her husband Tane in Honaunau on their 7-acre diversified, certified organic, farm
Treasurer, Scott Crawford works as the Director of the Maui Marine Program with The Nature Conservancy, and helps to manage the Hana Farmers Market. Previously, Scott served for 20 years as the Executive Director for the Kipahulu Ohana where he helped operate Kapahu Living Farm and Kipahulu Kitchen, and developed the Kipahulu Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area. He also serves on the board of several other nonprofits in Hāna related to local food systems, culture and land conservation, and is the Chair of the Hana Advisory Committee to the Maui Planning Commission.
It is time to be the change we want to see. We ask for your support to grow the future our grandchildren deserve to enjoy.
Grow, eat, support food grown in Hawaii via sustainable/regenerative* farming methods.
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Satisfy human food and fiber needs. Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends. ... Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
*Regenerative Agriculture Defined (Source: http://www.regenerativeagriculturedefinition.com)
- Regenerative Agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services.
- Regenerative Agriculture aims to capture carbon in soil and above ground biomass, reversing current global trends of atmospheric accumulation.
- At the same time, it offers increased yields, resilience to climate instability, and higher health and vitality for farming and ranching communities.
- The system draws from decades of scientific and applied research by the global communities of organic farming, agroecology, Holistic Management, and agroforestry.
