Black Sands Beach community received a generous grant of $2,500 from District 5 Hawaii County Councilman Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelders’ office. The grant funding comes from the Hawaii County Contingency Relief fund and was awarded to the garden earlier this month. The grant is the product of a public-private partnership to promote sustainable gardening practices and fight local food insecurity.
The grant proposal was co-authored by the community’s Vice President Timothy Rowan and his daughter, Tess MacMorris, with the simple goal of community support for a community-lead effort. The primary goals of the garden are to provide fresh, healthy, and low- or no-cost food directly to in-need residents; teach the skill and virtue of sustainable gardening to keiki; and promote and expand sustainable gardening practices in the community.
The grant will help the Black Sands community expand its garden and provide funding for its maintenance and expansion.
The Black Sands community gives special thanks to Don’s Pahoa Ace Hardware for their continued support and generous donations, and to Eileen O’Hara of Malama O Puna, who acted as an umbrella to receive the grand funding and will continue to act as a steward.
To donate fruit trees or supplies to its ongoing projects, please contact Mr. Timothy Rowan at timothyrowan@hotmail.com.