Ho’olehua Permaculture Center

Location: Ho’olehua, Hawaii USA (Island of Moloka’i)
Project Start Date: February 2009
Expected Completion Date (i.e. when expected to be self-reliant): January 2012

Project Concept:

The Permaculture Research Institute USA (PRI USA) Ho’olehua Permaculture Center is a project to set up a model 39-acre working Permaculture farm and education center on agricultural land located within the Ho’olehua Hawaiian Homelands Homesteads (Moloka’i, Hawaii). The aim of the project is to make it a replicable model for other Hawaiian Homeland sites to aid Native Hawaiian beneficiaries in the ecological and economical homesteading of their lands.

Detailed Project Description:

Why this Project is Needed

In 1920, the U.S. federal government enacted the Hawaiian Homelands Commission Act. The Act set aside 200,000 acres of public lands to enable Native Hawaiians to return to their lands in order to support self-sufficiency, self-determination and the preservation of values, traditions and culture.

The isolated Hawaiian Islands rely heavily on imports. With the current environmental and economic crisis, many Hawaiian Homeland beneficiaries are looking to homestead their designated lands. These lands are often challenging in location and physical nature. The Hoolehua Homesteads on western Molokai has been in “extreme” drought on and off for the last few decades. As a result, Native Hawaiian lessees are losing crops, livestock and a means of livelihood - leading to emigration.

The principles of Permaculture design can serve as efficient tools to address drought and other challenges. Permaculture design can help to reclaim infertile land, manage limited water supplies, build low energy homes that are healthy and enjoyable to live in and maximize food production in ways that are beneficial to the natural environment. Setting up a model Permaculture farm on an existing Homeland that will also serve as an education center will be an effective way to share these principles with the Hawaiian community.

Working in Partnership – Hawaii Sustainability Goals

In January 2008, the State of Hawaii launched its Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan, a remarkable cooperative effort to plan for a sustainable future for the Hawaiian Islands and the Hawaiian people. In congruence with this plan, and to multiply the success of the HHPC project, PRI USA will seek out partnerships with local groups and people focused on promoting sustainability and Native Hawaiian culture. We will also seek support from the Ho’olehua and greater Moloka’i community (schools, farmers and citizens).

How the Farm & Center will be Set Up

Demonstration
The HHPC will be set up as a working Permaculture demonstration site, an economically and ecologically sustainable farm for the lessee and his family. It will showcase the components of sustainable farming and living, including (but not be limited to): water harvesting techniques, agriculturally productive ecosystems, natural building techniques using local materials, alternative energy systems and a positive example of a stable economic and social order. This will be done through farm tours, documentation and onsite education/training.

Education/Training
The HHPC will operate as a Permaculture training center, both during and after setup. A classroom will be set up to conduct courses . Students will come from within and outside the Native Hawaiian community. Students who cannot afford to pay course tuition can apply to PRI USA for “tuition sponsorship”. Native Hawaiians will be given first priority for scholarships.

Dissemination of Information and Research
PRI USA will conduct research related to farm operations and make findings available locally and worldwide. PRI USA will do this through its website, journal articles, educational videos/television production, interviews, partnerships with other organizations, public speaking and other necessary means.

Finances
It is PRI USA’s goal to finance supplies for the setup of the project through grants, in-kind donations and monies collected from course tuitions. Tuitions collected will also be used to finance the scholarship program. Students, interns and PRI USA staff will provide the labor for the setup, in conjunction with courses and practicums held onsite.

Project Duration & Schedule:

PRI USA will work on setting up the project within 3 years to become sustainble, both as a functioning diverse ecosystem and an economically profitable business. The project will start in February 2009 and end by January 2012. At that point, PRI USA will turn the site back over to the lessee and local community to maintain farm operations and conduct courses.

Year 1 (Jan 2009 – Dec 2009)

The HHPC will be set up in five phases:Phase I Detailed Site Design, Phase II Initial Infrastructure and Water Harvesting Earthworks, Phase III Inner Zone Plantings, Phase IV Animal Systems and Outer Zone Planting, Phase V Traditional Hawaiian Gardens and Hale. Courses will be taught throughout all phases.

Phase I - Detailed Site Design: Feb

Create a detailed master design for the site in conjunction with key project stakeholders

Phase II - Initial Infrastructure and Water Harvesting Earthworks: Feb-Mar

• Create compost system
• Install roof catchment water tank
• Install irrigation system for inner zone plantings
• Build toolsheds
• Build humanure composting toilet system and solar showers
• Build classroom/Kitchen and dining area
• Setup drinking water stations
• Setup instructor facilities
• Setup camping area
• Create parking area
• Setup wireless internet
• Setup waterharvesting swales for 5 acres
• Build dam for water storage

Phase III - Inner Zone Plantings: April

• Plant vegetable and herb gardens
• Plant small orchards

Phase IV - Animal Systems and Outer Zone Planting: April – December

• Setup chicken shelter/pen/run/nesting area
• Purchase chickens
• Setup goat shelter/pen/grazing areas
• Purchase goat(s)
• Food forest planting
• Biofuel systems
• Timber woods
• Cash crops

Phase V - Traditional Hawaiian Gardens and Hale: June – December

• Plant traditional Hawaiian gardens
• Build Hale(s) for lodging

Year 2 & 3 (Jan. 2010 – Dec. 2011)

Most of the infrastructure, earthworks and planting will be completed in Year 1. Years 2 and 3 will be dedicated to farm maintenance and harvest, exploring economic markets for distribution of farm products and developing a long-term business model for the farm and education center. PRI USA will also work to train new farm managers and/or others that will be involved in the future operation of the center. PRI USA will continue to teach courses throughout this period.

Project Needs:

Because the project is only in startup phase, PRI USA is currently looking for monies for infrastructure, earthworks and planting setup. In-kind donations are also welcomed. We are also looking for people with expertise in all areas of the project to come to the center to teach courses, in line with our project schedule, starting in February 2009.