Giving trees for the holidays

LIHU‘E — Nearly 200 trees were distributed free over four sites around the island to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants, small farms and community-based agriculture sites that provide food to those in need, such as food pantries, schools, after-school programs and other nonprofit organizations.

The distribution was part of Malama Kaua‘i’s Village Harvest program’s end of year “Giving Tree” event, and was done at Anahola where the former Anahola farmer’s market was located, in Lihu‘e at the Kamehameha Schools office, at a private residence in Lawa‘i, and in Waimea at Kumano I Ke Ala’s office behind First Hawaiian Bank.

“We realize not everyone has the space to plant their own food trees, but we hope that these trees are able to provide sustenance for many ‘ohana across the island in the future,” said Megan Fox, Malama Kaua‘i executive director.

“At their peak, these trees could produce more than 18,000 pounds of fruit for our island annually. Partnering together to invest in our long-term food security is a great way to celebrate the holidays for us,” she said.

The effort is supported by the Bank of Hawai‘i Foundation that launched an initiative this year to plant the equivalent of more than 125 trees per week throughout 2022 in celebration of the bank’s 125th anniversary, and its commitment to sustaining the environment.

“Our goal during our 125th anniversary year was to celebrate by giving back in impactful ways that make a difference in our island home,” said Momi Akimseu, foundation president. “By planting food-bearing trees with Malama Kaua‘i’s Village Harvest program, we hope to provide healthy food for the community and preserve the health of our environment for years to come.”

Malama Kaua‘i said the trees were from Kaua‘i Nursery &Landscaping, which provided a discount for the Giving Tree effort.

“We didn’t do a distribution last year,” Fox said. “The biggest distribution was in 2020 where we gave out about 500 trees.”