November News: Community in Pīkake, Giving Back to Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Life at the Mahi Household in the Pīkake Subdivision
Meet the Mahi family of Grove Farm’s Pīkake Subdivision. Their lively multigenerational household is made up of Dustin and Kristi, with their three children, Jory, 12, and Jamey, 9, and Jacie, who adds to the joy whenever she’s home from San Diego, where she currently lives — along with June Ikehara and Albert Maghanoy.
The Mahi home is always full of life and laughter. Their sons are often outside playing basketball, throwing around a football, or playing on their huge inflatable water slides. Prior to living in Pīkake, the Mahis lived on a street, where busy traffic made it difficult for their children to play outside. Since moving to the Pīkake community, the Mahis have felt a greater sense of security knowing that their kids will be safe playing outside. They have also connected with many of their neighbors, who often stop by to talk story and enjoy the camaraderie among the families in the community. Living on a visible corner lot, Dustin feels a sense of responsibility to take the holidays seriously. The neighborhood always looks forward to his amazing Halloween and Christmas decorations.
At Grove Farm, families like the Mahis are at the heart of our commitment to build thriving communities through responsible land stewardship and thoughtful planning. Our vision is to build neighborhoods where homes are near schools, businesses, and services, and local families have access to local produce and products, outdoor recreation, and civic centers.
Supporting Our Community through Hawai‘i Foodbank
In support of Kauaʻi families, Grove Farm Foundation recently presented a $5,000 donation to the Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi. This donation continues Grove Farm Foundation’s ongoing support with the Foodbank to ensure access to fresh and healthy food across the island. These funds will go toward purchasing nutritious food, including local produce from Kauaʻi farmers, and further strengthen our islandʻs food systems.
Each year, the Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi distribution center distributes more than two million pounds of food through a network of 40 nonprofit organizations throughout the island. Their efforts ensure that kūpuna, keiki, and families have access to essential food resources. The Hawaiʻi Foodbank receives food from a variety of sources, including local retailers, the USDA, and also farm bureaus across the nation that supply produce not grown in large quantities in Hawai‘i, such as potatoes, cabbage, and onions.
During our recent visit to the Foodbank’s distribution center in Puhi, our Grove Farm team witnessed the organization’s incredible operations firsthand. Wes Perreira, Director of Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kaua‘i, shared how the organization is preparing for a growing need for food assistance in the coming months as the Hawai‘i Foodbank relies on federal funding for a portion of its employees as well, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) coordinators.
If you’d like to join in supporting this important work, please consider volunteering or donating to the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i. Together, we can fight against hunger in our community.
Learn more about the Hawaiʻi Foodbank
Honoring 161 Years of G.N. Wilcox’s Legacy
This November marks 161 years since Grove Farm was founded by George Norton Wilcox. What started in 1864 with 400 acres of sugarcane land and 500 acres of pasture grew into a prosperous sugar plantation where communities thrived for 110 years until sugar operations ceased in 1974.
Today, Grove Farm’s staff of 13 stewards more than 37,000 acres of land that support multiple aspects of everyday life on Kaua‘i. These lands include miles of residential communities, commercial centers, renewable energy projects, agricultural and open spaces that contribute to the island’s economy and quality of life. They also contain plantation-era water infrastructure that continues to play an essential role in our daily lives, providing water for consumption, agriculture, industrial, and civic uses, fire mitigation, and keeping our island green.
Our Grove Farm team took a moment recently to pay respects to Mr. Wilcox’s resting place at the Līhu‘e Cemetery. We also visited a monument at Nāwiliwili Harbor that was dedicated to him in 1936 in recognition for his lasting contributions to Kauaʻi.
Mr. Wilcox played a pivotal role in establishing a safe harbor at Nāwiliwili. The breakwater, constructed in 1921, was largely financed by him, and in 1927, at the age of 88, he oversaw the construction of the seawall. Today, Nāwiliwili Harbor continues to serve as Kaua‘i’s main port, receiving all our shipments and providing a port for visitor cruise ships.
Today, under the ownership of Steve Case, whose ties run deep through the halls of Grove Farm, -- his grandfather served as Grove Farm’s Treasurer -- we continue to think of innovative ways to move forward while caring deeply for our community.
Connecting Keiki to Culture and Conservation at Makauwahi Cave
Grove Farm is committed to preserving Makauwahi Cave, one of Kaua‘i’s most important archaeological and ecological treasures. Access to the area is available by request for educational school groups, scientific research, and cultural practices.
Recently, students from Hawaiʻi Technology Academy and Island School had the opportunity to explore the cave, guided by Archeologist Linz Armstrong and Grove Farm Project Manager Beau Acoba. They learned about the rich history, ecology, and cultural significance that make this site so special.
Jack-O-Lantern Joy at the Harvest Festival
Thanks to Stephanie Iona and her team, including Teddy Arroyo and the Kaua‘i Pop Warner League, the community had the opportunity to take home about 250 free pumpkins at the Grove Farm Market, just in time for Halloween.