Ho`okipa Kauai is an all-volunteer, (501(c)(3)) non-profit organization committed to fighting food insecurity and supporting our most vulnerable neighbors across the island of Kauai.

 

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Our Story

 

Our mission began in 1997 when the Church of the Pacific started the north shore's first food pantry, operating semi-monthly from a member’s garage. As the need grew, we expanded to weekly distributions at the Church's Princeville campus and a satellite site in Anahola.

 

By 2021, economic circumstances had accelerated an ongoing affordable housing crisis, leading to much higher rents, displaced tenants, and an increased need for grocery assistance from food pantries. In response, the Church formed the independent nonprofit, Ho`okipa Kauai, to manage the existing distributions, partner with other charities in expanding services, and seek funding from a wider range of grant-making institutions.

The Spirit of Ho`okipa

 

Our name, Ho`okipa, embodies the Hawaiian concept of Hospitality with a spirit of Aloha, meaning complete and unselfish hospitality extended to guests and strangers alike without expecting anything in return.  This spirit drives every aspect of our service.

 

 

Our Impact Today

 

By the end of 2024, food prices had increased 25%, homelessness on Kauai had risen 23%, food insecure households were estimated to comprise 23% of all Kauai households and Ho`okipa Kauai had started two new food pantries and a mobile outreach program.

 

Ho`okipa Kauai now sponsors the following programs:

Weekly Distributions at Fixed Pantry Sites: 

Ho`okipa Kauai Food Pantry at Anahola (Anahola Beach Park, Wednesdays)

Ho`okipa Kauai Food Pantry at Princeville (Church of the Pacific, Wednesdays)

Ho`omana Grocery Assistance Program in Wailua (Ho`omana Thrift Store, Fridays)

Kokua Kapa`a Food Pantry in Kapa`a (Kapa`a United Church of Christ, Sundays)

Fixed pantries feature a mobile medical station provided by Kauai clinics

The distributions in Wailua and Kapa`a include a prepared meal.

 

Beach Outreach Program: Our mobile pantry delivers food, hygiene supplies (like soap and razors), and emergency survival gear (tents, tarps, batteries) up to four days a week to our most vulnerable neighbors living in subsidized housing, elderly housing, and homeless campsites across the island.

Growing Reach: The four fixed site distributions and Beach Outreach are serving an average of over 450 Kauai households every week.

 

 

Our Client Choice Model

 

We believe in treating our clients with dignity and respect by following the “Client Choice” distribution model, allowing them to select their own groceries instead of receiving a generic, pre-prepared food bag.  To ensure a variety of nutritious offerings, Ho`okipa Kauai purchases fresh meat, produce, and eggs to supplement products sourced food from food banks.  We also purchase most of the personal hygiene products and emergency survival gear that we give away.   

Ho`okipa Kauai operates entirely on the dedication of our volunteers and relies solely on individual donations and grants.