Hale 'Aina is a private non-profit community center serving the people of Maui County and beyond.
Our Mission:
Our aim is to create a working demonstration model for sustainable living. A masterful example of a simple yet beautiful and highly abundant lifestyle that supports our community and empowers families and individuals by providing locally grown high quality meals, education in organic sustainable agriculture and food preparation, classes in Hawaiian studies and life coaching, affordable child care, and an amazing space for eco-tourism and community events.
Hale 'Aina Community Center Programs:
The Farm Program:
-An educational program with 6 to 12 students at a time learning basic to advanced organic food growing and landscaping practices, as well as infrastructure and equipment maintenance, while providing high quality food, flowers and a beautiful setting for the community center. It provides opportunities for local at risk youth, college students and volunteers to learn useful skills in a fun summer camp atmosphere.
The Commercial Kitchen/Restaurant:
-A breathtaking experience of beauty and abundance showcasing what the sustainable lifestyle has to offer. Combines the glory of indulgence with the satisfaction of eating healthy. A family atmosphere aimed at locals and tourists alike, the restaurant features a menu designed around home and community grown ingredients of the highest quality with both exotic and familiar dishes. Features a small stage for performances, a small gift shop with T-shirts, books, eco-products etc... And, most importantly, always has at least one simple nutritious meal on the menu that is free to anyone under 18. The Kitchen also provides meals for employees, children at the day care facility, event participants and is available for preparing local food products for sale.
The Event Center:
-A venue for workshops, classes, celebrations and other Hale Aina sponsored events such as yoga/dance classes, healing retreats and seminars. We want to offer free classes in Hawaiian studies, as well as life coaching which would include everything from managing of personal finances, to non-violent communication and relationship skills. The space is also available to rent for private functions such as for a wedding or performance.
Campground/Eco-vacation Rentals:
-Beautiful private tent sites as well as larger tent platforms and thatch roofed camp structures sharing a bathroom structure and an outdoor kitchenette/grill/campfire pit area. Also several small short term rentals and a family sized house demonstrating sustainable building practices while creating a luxurious natural atmosphere that is almost overwhelmed by the intoxicating fragrance of jasmine, gardenia and fruit tree blossoms. The architecture and off grid utility systems are fully integrated with the landscaping in such a way as to blur the transition between outdoors and indoors. Provides short and long term stays for tourists and out of town workshop participants, as well as volunteers, while generating income to support the community center and charitable programs.
Child Care Facility:
A supervised playground, childrens garden and indoor space providing a safe and healthy environment for children of employees or whose parents are participating in Hale 'Aina programs such as classes and events.
Keys to Success:
- A breathtakingly beautiful and intelligently designed setting that draws people in, inspires and supports community activities while working in harmony with natural systems and local culture. Changing the paradigm from one of "minimizing impact on the environment" to "maximizing harmony with the environment" so that we feel connected to and even loved by our environment just as we feel connected to and loved by our immediate families.
- Intimately integrating the various programs to fully support each other, keeping overhead low and benefits high. The Farm Program is at the foundation of Hale 'Aina and supports the other programs by creating and maintaining an inspirational setting and providing food and beauty. The kitchen is the heart of Hale 'Aina. It is a place for people to connect and come together around delicious high quality food. The day care allows families and single parents to participate while giving kids a chance to have fun in a healthy nurturing environment. The Restaurant, Event Center and Vacation Rentals bring people in and share our passion for sustainable living with people from all over the world, while generating income to support the other programs. In this way each of the programs benefits directly from the others, creating a sense of prosperity and abundance.
- Tapping the huge market for inexpensive vacation rentals and private camping in a beautiful natural setting, to bring people in, and generate income to support the community center and charitable programs. Also providing room and board for employees and work-traders to keep salaries down. In this way we will not be dependant on ongoing donations to keep the programs running.
-Being respectful to local traditions and promoting traditional Hawaiian culture. Working with existing institutions and making sure all development is done honestly and in compliance with Maui County zoning and ordinances.
We are incorporated in the state of Hawaii and are currently seeking 501(c)(3) tax exempt status with the IRS.
For more information about Hale 'Aina contact Chris Denton.
-A breathtaking experience of beauty and abundance showcasing what the sustainable lifestyle has to offer. Combines the glory of indulgence with the satisfaction of eating healthy. A family atmosphere aimed at locals and tourists alike, the restaurant features a menu designed around home and community grown ingredients of the highest quality with both exotic and familiar dishes. Features a small stage for performances, a small gift shop with T-shirts, books, eco-products etc... And, most importantly, always has at least one simple nutritious meal on the menu that is free to anyone under 18. The Kitchen also provides meals for employees, children at the day care facility, event participants and is available for preparing local food products for sale.
-A venue for workshops, classes, celebrations and other Hale Aina sponsored events such as yoga/dance classes, healing retreats and seminars. We want to offer free classes in Hawaiian studies, as well as life coaching which would include everything from managing of personal finances, to non-violent communication and relationship skills. The space is also available to rent for private functions such as for a wedding or performance.
