Kauai accommodation, organic farmstay in Hawaii

We do believe in activism by lifestyle. The choices we have made since being blessed to own and work this 4 acre piece of paradise here have been conscious ones. They are choices which we believe add to the quality of life here on Kauai for those of us who call this precious piece of the planet our home, and which add to the quality of experience for the visitors who travel to this unequalled gem of an island.

Our resources are precious. . .ever more so on an island. The island of Kauai has a limited recycling program, but we are active participants in it. We are able to recycle all glass, all aluminium, all scrap paper and magazines, all newspapers, and some plastic. We ask our guests to do the same. All cleaning products are from our wholefoods co-op we operate on the property. . .all are green. We have a printed booklet in the cottages that speaks to the issue of conservation of our island and our globe's limited resources and ask guests to please consider the ramifications of leaving lights, fans, etc on. We also ask that they not change the settings on the refrigerators, which are energy efficient and set at the lowest possible settings. All lightbulbs are compact fluorescent.

The farm is certified organic and thus we are committed to a clean environment for us and for that contribution to the planet. All the water from our sinks and washing machines is recycled to irrigate our bananas. All the buildings on the farm are built from non-treated wood. We ask our guests to do as we do - recycle and compost. As well, we attempt to raise awareness of our island’s finite resources and suggest to our guests that they leave refrigerator settings low, turn off lights and fans when not in use and conserve water at every opportunity. We give our guests one bath towel and one beach towel per person at the beginning of their stay. We have clotheslines on the property on which they can hang them to dry. For most people, that is all they use. We have low-flow shower heads and appropriate light bulbs, but still all need to do more.

We are vitally involved in the local community in the most rewarding way — growing food! Our produce is sold directly to 50 families weekly. It is a really rewarding endeavor to be able to provide fresh organic food for the tables of so many people in the community. We all care about this island and are happy to support each other in growing and buying organically. We are happy to share in that abundance with our guests and invite and encourage them to pick vegetables and fruits while they stay with us.

There are several charities on-island and off-island for whom we regularly provide produce for fundraising events, as well as stays in our cottages as auction items. In particular, there is a local charity to whom everyone in our farm family is attached to being a part of. Two years ago, the Kaloko Dam burst just above us in the mountains of Kauai. The raging waters that came down the stream just 1/4 mile behind our land devastated the valley here. They also took to their deaths my niece, her husband and their 2 year old son, as well as 5 other individuals. Our family was shocked and barely unable to comprehend this. In order to turn this unfathomable tragedy into something that might help us all move forward, we founded the Aurora Foundation in the memory of my niece, Aurora, her husband, Alan, and their son, Rowan. Aurora was an incredible mother and felt strongly about children. We have, these past two years, worked locally and globally to fundraise and have been to SE Asia to distribute the monies we have acquired. Specifically, we are working with the Children of the Forest Project in Thailand.

This is a small family business. The only staff are myself, my children and a young family that lives and works with us on the farm. Every building on the farm was built by family and friends. And family and friends are who continues to maintain them.