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The family and friends of the Matayoshi Farm on Oahu are enthusiastically supporting them through fundraising efforts in order to help sustain their multigenerational family farm.
90 years ago, Koji Matayoshi, an immigrant from Okinawa, and his wife Fujiko, otherwise known as the ‘Sweet Lady of Waiahole’, began cultivating undeveloped raw land with their bare hands & planted Okinawan sweet potato, and many other local produce benefiting the community. Fujiko, after the death of her husband, was forced to sell produce on the side of the road to provide for her 8 children.
( Click link for KITV4 segment )
Being a staple in her community and seen as a symbol of selfless acts of kindness, she was also supportive of grass roots efforts in preservation of their farm community. As post statehood urbanization proliferates it is important for small farms to continue their fight to resist development. ‘The Sweet Lady’ had grit and also a feisty side. She fought alongside fellow protesters and worked hard to make ends meet. It was about survival. Her greatest wish was being able to live and die comfortably on the farm. The Matayoshi family has maintained their farm through these struggles for past generations. They still continue to stand up against agriculture land development, proposals for huge spikes in increased rent & rising operating costs.
There are many challenges operating a small family farm. The family says they are lucky if they break even. Any money made is put back into the farm supplies. They often borrow their neighbors tractor as theirs is on its last leg & in need of repairs. An area of the farm is overgrown with invasive plants and huge trees and a bigger tractor is needed to clear it for future projects.
(Brenton Awa shares about current challenge with 600% rent increase)
Please join us in helping this legacy continue by donating as they are in dire need of new farm equipment (tractor, plow, tiller etc) in order to perpetuate the farm culture & way of life. We humbly ask for your help to bridge the deficit to upkeep deep rooted history for the future generations and community. With your help we can accomplish our goal and further our mission to educate our children and community about the importance of growing your own food.
Anything helps! Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated.