Who are we?

The Grow Tree Grow Community Project is a grassroots initiative dedicated to strengthening community resilience, cultural empowerment, and environmental sustainability for the Micronesian youth and broader community on Hawai‘i Island. Rooted in the values of traditional agroforestry, the project fosters deep connections between people, plants, and place.

Project Story

At its heart, Grow Tree Grow began with a vision: to enhance resilience through strengthening connections, fostering Micronesian youth education and connection to their ancestral cultural practices, while addressing urgent needs for local food security and environmental stewardship. Drawing on the wisdom of elders and the enthusiasm of the younger generation, the project brings together community members to plant, nurture, and share diverse, locally grown agroforestry trees and culturally significant plants.

Through collective action, the project not only bolsters healthy local food systems but also provides educational spaces where youth can learn traditional planting techniques, the cultural importance of native species, and the values of sustainable land care. Workshops and tree planting events become celebrations of culture and community, fostering pride, skill-building, and resilience. These gatherings also serve as vital intergenerational exchanges, where knowledge is passed down and youth find their place in the stewardship of both culture and the land.

Objectives

Purchase and distribute agroforestry fruit trees and culturally important plants within the COFA Micronesian community on Hawai'i Island. The project sources fruit trees and heritage crops vital to the Micronesian diet and tradition, providing them to COFA (Compact of Free Association) families and community members.

Promote agroforestry best practices Educational workshops offer practical skills in sustainable agroforestry methods, soil health, and pest management, promoting long-term ecosystem health.

Enhance food security By increasing access to locally grown foods, participating families reduce dependence on imported goods and improve nutrition.
Foster youth cultural connection and education Youth are invited to learn about their cultural roots through planting, storytelling, and traditional ecological knowledge, strengthening identity and belonging.
Empower communities and support environmental sustainability The planting of diverse tree species and the practice of regenerative agriculture enhance land restoration and biodiversity, building climate resilience for generations to come.

Activities

Organized tree and plant distributions to COFA community members
Hands-on workshops teaching agroforestry techniques and traditional Micronesian plant uses
Cultural education sessions highlighting the stories and roles of key heritage plants
Youth engagement through intergenerational mentorship and cultural events

Impact

Grow Tree Grow is more than a planting project—it is a movement to empower Micronesian youth, honor cultural heritage, and cultivate both environmental and community well-being. Through roots in the ground and roots in tradition, the project supports a thriving, resilient future for all.

The Story of Grow Tree Grow: Nurturing Roots, Growing Community

Welcome to the heart of our mission, where the soil meets the spirit, and every planted seed blossoms into a stronger community. This is the story of the Grow Tree Grow Community Project, a vibrant initiative born from a deep commitment to food security, cultural connection, and environmental stewardship on the island of Hawaiʻi.

Our journey began with a vision: to empower the COFA Micronesian community, a vital and cherished part of Hawaiʻi's diverse tapestry, by providing them with the tools to cultivate their own sustainable food sources. We understood that access to fresh, nutritious food is a cornerstone of well-being, and what better way to achieve this than by bringing the bounty of the land directly to their homes?

The core of the Grow Tree Grow project is beautifully simple yet profoundly impactful: the purchasing and distribution of fruit trees and culturally significant plants. Imagine mangoes, breadfruit, citrus, and other beloved fruit trees, alongside plants deeply rooted in Micronesian traditions, all carefully selected and lovingly delivered to families across Hawaiʻi Island. These aren't just plants; they are living legacies, promising shade, sustenance, and a connection to traditional practices of cultivation and sharing.

Beyond distribution, our goals extend to nurturing the knowledge and skills within the community. We host agroforestry best practices workshops, providing hands-on learning for sustainable cultivation. We also believe in fostering the next generation through youth cultural education, ensuring that traditional wisdom and connections to the land are passed down. Ultimately, every facet of this project aims at empowering our community to thrive independently and sustainably.

This ambitious endeavor is made possible through a powerful community-based partnership. We are proud to collaborate with the US Forest Service Urban Agroforestry grant, the Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program within the DLNR Forestry and Wildlife, and Micronesians United Big Island. This collective effort is a testament to our shared belief in the power of green spaces, urban agriculture, and community resilience. It's a recognition that healthy trees and plants contribute not only to our plates but also to our planet, fostering biodiversity and a cooler, more vibrant environment for all.

Our collaboration embodies the spirit of lōkahi (unity) and kōkua (help), working hand-in-hand to create lasting positive change. Together, we are weaving a network of support, ensuring that the plants reach those who will nurture them, and that the knowledge of agroforestry can flourish within the community.

The Grow Tree Grow Community Project is more than just planting trees; it's about cultivating hope. Overall, the project powerfully promotes food security, environmental sustainability, and the vital preservation and perpetuation of cultural heritage. It's about strengthening cultural ties through shared harvests, fostering intergenerational learning, and building a more food-secure future for the COFA Micronesian community on Hawaiʻi Island. Every plant distributed and every workshop held is a step towards a greener, healthier, and more connected tomorrow.

Join us as we watch these roots take hold and witness the incredible growth of a community empowered by the simple, profound act of growing.

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Who are we?

Project Story

Objectives

Promote agroforestry best practices Educational workshops offer practical skills in sustainable agroforestry methods, soil health, and pest management, promoting long-term ecosystem health.

Enhance food security By increasing access to locally grown foods, participating families reduce dependence on imported goods and improve nutrition.

Foster youth cultural connection and education Youth are invited to learn about their cultural roots through planting, storytelling, and traditional ecological knowledge, strengthening identity and belonging.

Empower communities and support environmental sustainability The planting of diverse tree species and the practice of regenerative agriculture enhance land restoration and biodiversity, building climate resilience for generations to come.

Activities

Organized tree and plant distributions to COFA community members

Hands-on workshops teaching agroforestry techniques and traditional Micronesian plant uses

Cultural education sessions highlighting the stories and roles of key heritage plants

Youth engagement through intergenerational mentorship and cultural events

Impact

Grow Tree Grow is more than a planting project—it is a movement to empower Micronesian youth, honor cultural heritage, and cultivate both environmental and community well-being. Through roots in the ground and roots in tradition, the project supports a thriving, resilient future for all.

The Story of Grow Tree Grow: Nurturing Roots, Growing Community

Promote agroforestry best practices Educational workshops offer practical skills in sustainable agroforestry methods, soil health, and pest management, promoting long-term ecosystem health.

Enhance food security By increasing access to locally grown foods, participating families reduce dependence on imported goods and improve nutrition.

Foster youth cultural connection and education Youth are invited to learn about their cultural roots through planting, storytelling, and traditional ecological knowledge, strengthening identity and belonging.

Empower communities and support environmental sustainability The planting of diverse tree species and the practice of regenerative agriculture enhance land restoration and biodiversity, building climate resilience for generations to come.