er 2014:  Hanale Bishop and Meghan Au of Homestead Poi, who we will profile in this issue. In Part II, in our next issue we will profile delegates Luann Casey of Tin Roof Ranch and Kuulei Santos of Hanapepe Salt.

Hanale Bishop and Meghan Au, Homestead Poi

Hanale Bishop, a graduate of Kahuku High, got his start farming taro at a community taro patch in Waiāhole called "Mauka Lo'i. He gained experience as a poi-maker working at the Waiāhole Poi Factory from a young age. At 26, Hanale quit his full time job as a Chief land surveyer to pursue a lifestyle of organic farming on his family farm in Waiahole, and he later cashed in his retirement accumulated from full-time work to start "Homestead Poi," his own small poi company. Homestead Poi is a sustainable effort aimed at providing quality foods to family, friends, and community. The poi as well as other produce can be found at Ben Parker Farmer's Market in Kaneohe, at Hale Ke Aloha Ai Pono Hawaiian Food restaurant in Kailua and at Kokua Market in town on King St. September 2014 will make 4 years in business as Homestead Poi. Hanale Bishop hopes his efforts inspires others to peruse a lifestyle of land-based living."      

Meghan Leialoha Au grew up on the Windward side of Oʻahu, attended Kamehameha high school and received a bachelor's degree from the University of San Francisco. Presently much of her time is spent going between lomilomi offices and the farm in Waiāhole where she and her partner Hanale Bishop tend to various plants on the family farm. From this place they are able to create items like herbal teas, oils and salves for community members seeking more rooted paths for medicine and healing. Rooted healing is pili to understanding the roots of illness for Kānaka Maoli. She is also currently finishing up her MA thesis which strives to show the connection between past historical trauma and current health situations for Hawaiians, and ways in which we can approach healing today for individuals, families and communities."