MA'O Farms

The Ho’ola ʻAina Youth Food Sovereignty Conference

The Ho’ola ʻAina Youth Food Sovereignty Congress (YFSC) brought together ten delegations over a five-day period from July 25 to July 29, 2018, at the Lokahi campsite in Waianae, Hawaiʻi. The purpose of this gathering was to launa (meet with), malama aina (care for the land), and practice deep listening, learning, and collaboration. Those five days challenged the opio (youth) and their makua (adults) to think critically about their own work in food systems as well as the greater implications. This work took place through large group circles, individual reflection, facilitated conversations, panel discussions, malama aina, and talk story. The space nurtured during this gathering encouraged youth particpants to share their stories and ultimately express their collective vision for their food, communities, education, and future in the following statement.