By Vanessa Wolf

Tonight in Paia, Hali’imaile Community Garden is helping to bring awareness to hunger issues, organic gardening, sustainability, and healthy eating through a benefit night fundraiser in partnership with Flatbread Company.

The event takes place at Flatbread Company in Paia from 5 to 10 p.m. and will include a silent auction, garden information, and other resources.

Items available via silent auction include gift cards to Café Mambo, Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods, Robbie’s Maui Day Spa & Salon, Down to Earth, Costco, and Maui School of Therapeutic Massage, as well as a gift bag from Whole Foods and several trees and plants.

In addition, Hali’imaile Community Garden will be selling copies of its “Hawaii’s Grow Your Own Cookbook,” which contains recipes contributed by HCG  members.

The cookbook’s recipes represent a variety of styles from traditional American food to Hawaiian cuisine with a focus on ingredients easily grown on Maui.

In addition to growing fresh produce, HCG program participants engage in all aspects of gardening, including land cultivation, irrigation, organic pest and weed control, fertilizing, and harvesting.

A project of the garden, the Goodwill Garden, grows food for the express purpose of donation to Hale Kau Kau and the Maui Foodbank to help feed Maui’s hungry.

“There are many families on Maui who struggle to feed themselves,” explained Kevin Harrington, HCG president.

“Food bank statistics show that almost 8% of Hawaiian households experience food insecurity. During 2010, over 14% of Hawaii’s statewide population received emergency food assistance through the Hawaii Foodbank.”

As part of an effort to help the greater community, Flatbread Company will be donating a portion of tonight’s sales to Hali’imaile Community Garden to help to raise funds for the garden’s programs.

We welcome your feedback. Please let us know if you hear of any new restaurants opening or reopening, total menu overhauls, or simply know of a hidden treasure you want to share. Have a restaurant you want reviewed (or re-reviewed)? Drop us a line – Vanessa(@mauinow.com)