HONOLULU (HI Now) - For generations, coconuts have been a cornerstone of Hawaiian culture and subsistence living — but today, they face a growing threat. Hui Aloha Aina Momona is on the front lines of the fight against the coconut rhinoceros beetle, working to protect Hawai’i’s coconut trees while keeping them safe for communities to consume. With more than 20,000 non-edible coconut trees on O’ahu linked to toxic experimental pesticides, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Through community partnerships like Farm Lovers Kakaako, legislative advocacy such as SB2925 recognizing coconuts as an official staple food and potable water source, and their Aloha Organic Verified Coconut program, they’re rallying farmers, families, and policymakers around a shared mission: feed the soil, protect the culture, and eat from the aina.
Support their work at www.ainamomona.org or find verified safe coconut products at alohaorganic.org.
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