We are a grassroots organization working toward environmental justice in the Waianae Valley on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Through our CDC’s land base of 1,100 acres and adjacent Kaala Farm, we are restoring the natural ecological balance of the Waianae Valley, the historical loi (taro patches) and the dryland forests, which naturally preserve water. We have built cultural hale (structures) for groups to come and learn about Hawaiian culture and heal from drug addiction, anger, and other social ailments. Our goal is to restore the valley’s natural ecosystem to bring back balance to the aina (Mother Earth) and help mitigate wildfire risks and damage. Our example shows how natural ecosystems can be adapted in modern contexts and influence policy for conservation and land restoration that also heals the human spirit.
