Pilina: The Power of Relationships

 Kamehameha Schools is the largest private landowner in Hawai'i, and owns about 115,000 acres of agriculture land in the Islands. With Leanne Kami, we discuss their local food systems strategies,  support for local farmers through flexible contracting and other means, the re-introduction of traditional Hawaiian foods such as poi, and ongoing projects that integrate cultural heritage with modern agricultural practices aimed at enhancing food security and sustainability in Hawaii. Kamehameha Schools is also enrolled in the Good Food Purchasing Program.

Leanne Kami was born and raised in Pāhoa, on Hawaiʻi Island, and resides in Panaʻewa with her husband and two sons. Leanne joined Kamehameha Schools in 2015 as a Senior Communications Specialist and served as Land Asset Manager for four years before joining the Sustainable Industry Development team in 2021.  Leanne’s kuleana (responsibilities) include supporting Kamehameha Schools’ goals and strategies towards strengthening food systems and increasing agriculture production in Hawaiʻi.  As owner and manager of Kohana  Farms since 2010, Leanne also has first-hand working knowledge of agriculture. 

Before joining Kamehameha Schools she was the  Executive Director of the Hawaii Future Farmers of America Foundation, and is a founding member of the Hawaiʻi Island Agriculture Partnership.  She has a longstanding  passion and dedication to increasing food security and resiliency of Hawaii's  ʻāina and its people. 

Stay tuned for closing thoughts on her favorite Hawaiian word: pilina.

For more info:

Kamehameha Schools (ksbe.edu)

Our food systems initiative | ‘Āina Pauahi | Kamehameha Schools (ksbe.edu)

Videos about Kamehameha Schools partners and projects mentioned:
Poi For the Pēpē

FarmLink Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative

And about Leanne's farm: 

Kohana Family Farms

Credits: 
Created, produced, and hosted by Paula Daniels
Sound engineer: Ben Lazarus
Theme music: Caryssa Shinozawa
Logo: Reiko Quitevis and Sue Woodard