Join the Movement toGrow Hawaiian!
Ka mālama ‘ana i ka mo‘omeheu. I mea e ola ai mai kēia mua aku. Preserving culture. So that there is life to come.
About the Festival
The Grow Hawaiian Festival is an annual celebration hosted by Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook, Hawaii. This free, family-friendly event brings the community together to honor Hawaiian culture and ethnobotany through vibrant activities, including demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and guided garden tours. Attendees are invited to participate in traditional Hawaiian plant-based arts and practices such as kapa making, lauhala weaving, and poi pounding while learning about the essential role of native plants in Hawaiian culture. Featuring local artisans, cultural practitioners, and experts in areas such as ecological restoration, seed conservation, and the cultivation of Hawaiian staple crops, the festival showcases Hawaii’s living heritage. Live music, local food vendors, and a lively, welcoming atmosphere make this event a popular celebration for residents and visitors alike.
At its core, the Grow Hawaiian Festival embodies the mission of Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden: to preserve and perpetuate native Hawaiian plants and the cultural practices that sustain them. The Garden is a sanctuary for rare and endangered native flora, providing a living connection to Hawaii’s ecological and cultural heritage. As a hub for education and conservation, the Garden inspires community stewardship by blending traditional knowledge with modern sustainability practices. The festival focuses these efforts, fostering awareness and engagement by connecting the community to Hawaii’s unique biocultural legacy. This mission-driven event offers a powerful platform to emphasize the importance of biodiversity, cultural preservation, and sustainable food production in Hawaii.
WHY Join the movement to Grow Hawaiian?
Reduce Dependence on Food Imports
Hawai‘i imports over 85% of its food, making the islands vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. By growing Hawaiian, we can increase local food production and enhance food security.
Revitalize Traditional Agriculture Practices
Hawaiian agricultural traditions such as kalo (taro) and ‘ulu (breadfruit farming are sustainable systems designed for the local environment. Supporting these practices promotes regenerative agriculture and connects us to cultural wisdom.
Restore Native Ecosystems
Cultivating native plants, including traditional crops, supports ecological restoration by improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, and providing habitat for endemic species.
Adapt to Climate Change
Growing Hawaiian plants and crops enhances resilience to climate change by promoting drought-tolerant species, reducing reliance on water-intensive imports, and fostering carbon-sequestering ecosystems.
Combat Invasive Species
Growing native species and traditional crops helps push back against invasive plants that dominate the landscape, restoring balance and protecting Hawai‘i’s unique ecosystems.
Improve Food Quality and Nutrition
Locally grown Hawaiian foods are fresher, healthier, and more nutrient-dense than imported alternatives. They also reduce the environmental impact of transportation.
Create Educational Opportunities
Engaging in the Grow Hawaiian movement offers hands-on learning experiences about traditional agricultural practices, sustainability, and the cultural significance of native species.
Build Community and Cultural Identity
Growing Hawaiian fosters a sense of community, connecting people through shared values of mālama ‘āina (caring for the land), perpetuating Hawaiian cultural traditions, and celebrating a collective effort toward a sustainable future.
Become a Sponsor
On February 22, we expect the 14th Grow Hawaiian Festival to grow in reach and significance. This event has become a beloved cornerstone of the community, typically drawing 2000-3000 attendees.
For sponsors, this event offers a unique opportunity to showcase community sup- port and align with a cause that resonates deeply with Hawaii’s people and values. Supporting the festival means directly contributing to the preservation of native plants, the perpetuation of traditional knowledge, and the cultivation of a sustainable future for Hawaii.
We invite you to join us in celebrating and supporting this incredible event. Together, we can make the 14th annual Grow Hawaiian Festival the most impactful one yet, fostering a deeper appreciation for Hawaii’s heritage while building a brighter, greener future.
Grow Hawaiian Sponsorship Levels
Presenting Sponsor
Contribution:
$10,000
Logo Placements:
- Press Release
- Website
- Newsletter
- Social Media
- Advertisements
Festival Placements:
- Logo on Signage
- Digital Screen
- Other Collateral
MC Acknowledgments at Event:
Yes, by sponsor name
Table at Event:
Yes
Complimentary T-Shirts:
12 T-Shirts
Recognition Gift:
Yes
Major Sponsor
Contribution:
$5,000
Logo Placements:
- Press Release
- Website
- Newsletter
- Social Media
- Advertisements
Festival Placements:
- Logo on Signage
- Digital Screen
- Other Collateral
MC Acknowledgments at Event:
Yes, by sponsor name
Table at Event:
Yes
Complimentary T-Shirts:
6 T-Shirts
Recognition Gift:
Yes
Contributing Sponsor
Contribution:
$2,000
Logo Placements:
- Website
- Social Media
Festival Placements:
- Logo on Signage
- Digital Screen
- Other Collateral
MC Acknowledgments at Event:
Yes, by sponsor name
Table at Event:
Yes
Complimentary T-Shirts:
4 T-Shirts
Recognition Gift:
-
Sponsor
Contribution:
$500
Logo Placements:
- Website
Festival Placements:
- Digital Screen
- Other Collateral
MC Acknowledgments at Event:
-
Table at Event:
Yes
Complimentary T-Shirts:
2 T-Shirts
Recognition Gift:
-
Become a Sponsor Today:
Mahalo to our Partners & Funders:
- Atherton Family Foundation
- Ceres Trust
- Lawrence H. Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation
- Cooke Foundation, Ltd.
- The Healy Foundation
- Kosasa Foundation
Funding for our work is provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry Program. USDA, Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden and partners are equal opportunity providers and employers.
📸 Photography Credit: Kristina Holladay