Fundraising dinner in Mākena to honor three food-related nonprofits

Mākena Golf & Beach Club will host Nā ʻOno O Ka ʻĀina, a fundraising dinner event on Dec. 4 to honor the Maui Food Bank, Maui Hub and Grow Some Good.

The event will run from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mākena’s Nāulu Farm. All proceeds from will benefit the honorees. 

The honorees were chosen for their work towards food liberation on Maui:

• Maui Food Bank – for making food more accessible to the Maui community
• Maui Hub – for connecting our farmers to the Maui community
• Grow Some Good – for connecting keiki to sustainable farming and food

Mākena’s Executive Chef, Chris Kulis, a long-time proponent of local food and farmers, will create a culinary dining experience under the stars with ingredients sourced entirely from Maui. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate these wonderful organizations and their integral work towards Maui food liberation efforts, and, to contribute to the greater movement of how ‘ono — how truly satisfying it is to be nourished by food and drink that comes from this place,” said Leahi Hall, Community Engagement Director at the Mākena Golf & Beach Club. 

The dinner will be held at Nāulu Farm, overlooking the club’s organically minded farm named for and inspired by the Nāulu wind and cloud of the area, designed and tended to by Mākena’s ‘Ōiwi Resources and Stewardship Manager CJ Elizares.

“Grow Some Good envisions a food-secure Maui community where everyone grows, shares and prepares healthy local food,” said Scott Lacasse, Executive Director, Grow Some Good. “Through continued support of our Farm to School program and Community Food Systems program, we are turning that vision into a reality.”

Autumn Ness, Vice President of the Maui Hub Board of Directors, said: “Building a robust, sustainable food system on Maui is big, complex work and requires many hands working together. …

“At the start of COVID, Maui residents rallied around our local farmers to get them through the pandemic by buying their products on Maui Hub, and their support has only grown over the last 2 1/2 years. Working together, we are growing a local food system that is accessible to all of our Maui residents and gives farmers the support they need to do what they do best.” 

Maui Food Bank currently serves more than 13,000 people a month who are in need of hunger relief.

“Life is sometimes complicated. Feeding a hungry person isn’t,” said Marlene Rice, Development Director of the Maui Food Bank. “Working together, we are making a difference in the lives of those people who may not know where their next meal is coming from.”

Tickets for the event are $200 per person.  The event includes pass appetizers, a four-course meal and two drink tickets per person. It also will feature live entertainment and beautiful views of Puʻu Ōlaʻi and Kahoʻolawe beyond. Seating is limited and is first come, first serve. 

To buy tickets, visit:

Grow Some Good – https://GSGFoodLiberation.eventbrite.com

Maui Hub – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/na-ono-o-ka-aina-tickets-469687276287

Maui Food Bank – https://mauifoodbank.org/event/makena-farm-dinner/