Ko'a Kea Farms

Welcome to Ko'a Kea Farms

Discover our farm in Waianae, Hawaii where we know the land and sea are strongly connected to nourish life. Hawaiians believe coral is the foundation of life, and coral rose to become islands after being fished from the ocean. The coral in the soil reminds us how interconnected we are.

We live in a beautiful place and given the right elements the ʻāina (land) and i'a (sea life) provide everything we need to thrive. Taking care of the ʻāina also takes care of the i'a. What we do on land has a direct connection with life in the ocean. Experience the essence of 'āina and i'a through sustainable agriculture.

15+

20 years

Family Owned

Sustainable Practices

Our Belief

We believe in protecting and preserving the ʻāina – as the land and ocean sustains and nourishes us. We also believe in enhancing the quality of life in our local community and promoting sustainable agriculture which supports a healthy environment and working together for Hawaii’s future. Every person in a community from grower to consumer has a part in protecting the ʻāina.

We love it when it's sunny on the west side

Waianae gets hot. It's dry. It's excellent for outdoor exercise all year around (wear reef safe sunscreen). The sun gives plants a lot of energy to fuel their growth. It's a great place for solar panels and green energy.

Native plants and ground covers are a great option

Native plants are naturally adapted to the climate. In our part of Waianae, we need the most drought-tolerant trees and plants that love full sun.

We love it when it rains on the west side

It's good for the natural water cycle. We want the rain water to soak into the ground, helping our plants grow, and replenishing our ground water supply. Protect native forests and farm lands. The little rain fall we get in Waianae needs to stay clean (no pollutants, trash, oil, pesticides, etc.) and not hit hard surfaces (roads, concrete, parking lots, etc.) and runoff into the ocean. The natural water cycle adds nutrients to our soil and naturally filters out sediment.

What is the average farm size in Hawaii?

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture data released in February 2024, Hawaii has 6,569 farms and there are more than 1 million acres of farm land in Hawaii. The state's average farm size is 160 acres. We have about 10 acres of farm land.

Hawaii's top agricultural products include coffee, cattle, floriculture, macadamia nuts, chicken eggs and papayas (...and many many more).

Can small farms make a difference?

There's certainly a need for large farms which offer large scale food production at a low cost.

What about small farms? The answer is... Yes, small farms can make a difference. Although it's not always about profitability. Every person makes a difference in how we take care of the land and ocean. We all have kuleana (responsibility and privilege) in making a difference.

Why sustainable farming?

Sustainable agricultural practices are intended to protect the environment, expand the Earth's natural resource base, and maintain and improve soil fertility. Whether it's one person planting a tree, a team of people and equipment taking care of 500 acres, or somewhere in between. Based on a multi-pronged goal, each one of us living with sustainable actions, we aspire to promote environmental stewardship and enhance quality of life for our community.

Sustainable farming methods are the cornerstone of agriculture. Sustainable agriculture conserves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also conserves water, decreasing vulnerability to drought (which is always a challenge on the dry side of Oahu).

Ko'a Kea Farms is just a glimpse of the truly beautiful place we live in, and reflects the beauty and richness of the Hawaiian islands.

Ko'a Kea Farms

★★★★★