OUR PROGRAMS
revitalization of kOKEʻE LODGE
We believe in the power of responsible tourism to drive economic growth without compromising the cultural and environmental integrity of our cherished West Kauaʻi. Since 2015, Hale Puna has played an integral role in the revitalization of the historic Kōkeʻe Lodge in Kōkeʻe State Park. What was once a deteriorating landmark is now a thriving, active community hub for visitors and residents alike to enjoy Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe. Over $300,000 has been invested in restoration efforts, revenues have more than tripled, and the Lodge now employs more than 30 people. We are a Farm-to-Table restaurant, with over 2/3 of our food served from local suppliers.
GULICK-ROWELL HOUSE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION
Built in 1830 and considered the oldest house on Kauaʻi, this coral block home made primarily from native materials is an extremely unusual structure. Hale Puna is restoring Gulick-Rowell house with a three-fold public purpose:
1. To preserve and protect a vital and iconic historic property in West Kauaʻi, and save a vital part of Hawaiʻi’s history. This house has many stories living in it.
2. To create a public space for the local community to use, benefit from, and learn from.
3. To create a new unique visitor destination that can share important information about the region and its history and provide new opportunities for employment.
The house has been listed on the National and State Historic Register since 1972 (Site#30-05-9314). All the floor framing is hand-hewn Ohia or other native woods cut and dragged from the nearby mountain, and mortised and tenoned together. The exterior walls are coral or coralline sandstone and all the nails of the window casing and floor boards are cut iron nails. The glass that remains is all single strength mouth-blown antique glass. To a great extent the main portions of the building therefore date from c.1848 or before (Glenn Mason, Historic Structures Report, 2019.)
The basement floor is unique and there is likely no other floor like it in all of Hawaii or the United States. Made of coral sandstone, the floor comprises notched stones that fit together in a style similar to that used for ancient Hawaiian fishpond walls and other surviving ancient Hawaiian stone structures. It is likely the handiwork of local Hawaiian stone masons who would have been expert in stone masonry (Aletha Kaohi, interview, 2020).
Harvest day at Hale Puna Farm
FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Hidden just a few miles from the vast sprawling fields of commercial agriculture in West Kaua‘i, Hale Puna Farm is one of a handful of emerging strongholds of organic and sustainable farming in the region. Its crops may not yield the vast quantities of its colossal agribusiness neighbors, but they carry the authentic flavors of a bygone era, nourishing body, soul and ʻāina. It’s hard work, just as it was for the people who lived here before large-scale agriculture existed.
Hale Puna Farm commits to organic and sustainable farming practices for benefits that extend beyond the dinner table: soil health and fertility, nutrient-rich, biodiverse soil, the well-being of our ecosystem by reducing water pollution and preserving essential pollinators like bees and butterflies. Finally, sustainable land management helps combat soil erosion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The weekly Hale Puna Farmers’ Market provides a space for local farmers and makers of value-added goods to sell their products directly to consumers. The market is the only farmers’ market on Kauaʻi that accepts SNAP/EBT and DABUX.
Our little, local farm and market stand as a reminder that there’s room in the world for a more intimate connection to the land and a commitment to preserving the earth’s bounty for generations to come.
KAUAI OLD TIME GATHERING
Hale Puna is the producing sponsor for the Kauai Old Time Gathering, an annual event in Kōkeʻe State Park. KOTG seeks to promote old time Hawaiian and mainland American music and crafts through workshop and performance. Visit kauaioldtime.com for more info.
