Malu ‘Aina in Search of Volunteers
ANNOUNCEMENTS, 14 Aug 2023
Farm Coordinator and Farm Volunteers
Aloha, TMS readers!
10 Aug 2023 – Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action, founded in 1979, is a small all-volunteer non-profit peace farm in Ola’a (Kurtistown) on Hawaii Island. We are looking for a farm torch carrier, someone to take on the volunteer farm coordination that Jim Albertini has done for over 40 years. Jim, pushing 77 years of age, hopes to concentrate more on peace organizing and continuing Malu ‘Aina’s emergency food pantry work, and less on farm work.
Malu ‘Aina is a grassroots non-profit organization that started with a donation of land. but no buildings. Over the years, we built some simple structures. Malu ‘Aina does not seek government or foundation money. Too many strings attached. We do an annual appeal to supporters for donations to keep the work of Malu ‘Aina going. Our main “crop” is non-violent activism on a variety of social issues including opposing war, militarism, and injustice, and redirecting war spending to meet basic human needs, including protecting the environment.
We are looking for someone to volunteer part-time, or full-time, to help maintain the fruit trees on the farm, and perhaps with the help of other volunteers replant some vegetable crops. Some basic gardening/farming skills would be a plus but not essential. I’m willing to help train. The new volunteer farm coordinator could be someone already living on the east side of Hawaii Island, or someone willing to come and live at Malu Aina rent-free and with basic food needs provided. Life at Malu ‘Aina involves off-grid simple living on small-scale solar and water catchment. Currently, Jim is the only person in residence at Malu ‘Aina though over the years we usually had a couple of people in residence along with a few other short-term visitor volunteers.
Malu Aina 5 May 2023 Peace Vigil Big Island, Hawaii
Due to the last 3 years of COVID, volunteer help has been minimal. Our tractor which had a major breakdown just before COVID arrived is now up and running after a difficult time finding parts. Jim is doing mowing in the orchards and farm roadways but farm fruit tree maintenance has been lacking. There are approximately 175 fruit trees here that require lots of weed whacking and other maintenance.
If you, or someone you know, might be interested in being the Malu Aina farm coordinator, or simply helping as a farm volunteer sharing fruits from Malu Aina, please complete the google form for potential volunteers. Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNscRsAAJ3BKlPHQYwThamXrmdeD_FFcbV-2532qang1PRcg/viewform
Also check out our webpage at www.malu-aina.org to see Malu ‘Aina peace, justice, and environmental issues of concern.
Mahalo for your consideration and support.
Jim
[From TMS Editor: I lived at Malu ‘Aina as a volunteer worker for about 2 years, circa 1990’s, when I was completing my Ph.D. at the University of Hawaii. I recall being ‘in charge’ of the taro patch. Hard work, living off the land, eating what we planted, and nonviolent direct actions made for an unforgettable learning experience and my days were fulfilling and meaningful. If you want a unique, uplifting adventure, take the challenge and in the process make a difference. I dare you to grow, evolve, get up and be counted! Mediocre and lazy people must not apply.]
Taro patch
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Jim Albertini is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace, Development and Environment, a former Catholic School teacher, and long-time social justice activist since the US war on Vietnam. He has done research on the use of depleted uranium at Pohakuloa Military Training Area and is the author of “The Dark Side of Paradise: Hawai’i in a Nuclear World.” Jim is the founder and director of Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action, a spiritual community based on peace, justice and sustainable organic farming on Big Island, Hawai’i – P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawai’i 96760. Phone (+ 808) 966-7622 Email: ja@malu-aina.org – website: malu-aina.org
Go to Original – malu-aina.org
Tags: Activism, Nonviolence, Nonviolent Action, Organic Agriculture, Organic food
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