Programs
Here are our core initiatives that drive Mālama Kōkua Mission.
We have partnered with Hollywood filmakers for a documentary, Advancing Aloha, which will follow our founder, Chef Charles, as he embarks on a journey across the islands to rediscover and showcase the real Hawaii through his love for food and his love for his culture. Through his lens, viewers will experience the deep-rooted culture, traditions, and authentic aloha spirit that often remain hidden from the typical tourist experience.
This project will be brought to life by award-winning filmmakers Hrag Yedalian and Sevag Chahinian, celebrated for their compelling storytelling and cinematic prowess.
We are actively pitching Advancing Aloha to major streaming platforms with the goal of reaching a global audience.
In addition to streaming services, we plan to submit the documentary to renowned film festivals. These prestigious platforms will help bring widespread recognition to the documentary and. the brands associated with it.
We are extending an invitation to key players in Hawaii’s hospitality and tourism industry to partner with us on this exciting venture. As a partner, your brand can leverage the documentary to showcase your commitment to preserving Hawaiian culture and sustainability while aligning with a story that embodies the challenges and triumphs of modern day Hawaii.
For more information, please email: chloe@advancingaloha.org
Chef’s Table Series
Mālama Kōkua, Inc. is the philanthropy and non-profit division of Mila’s Kitchen Hawaii. Our Chef Table Series brings health and wellness leaders together to break bread and share in a farm-to-table community experience that encourages mindful eating through nourishing plant-based meals in order to address some of our biggest health challenges in society. We are dedicated to fostering a compassionate and empowered community through holistic education, wellness initiatives, and impactful philanthropy. Our mission is to nurture the potential for actualization within every individual by providing accessible resources, support, and opportunities for growth. Grounded in our founder’s Hawaiian values, we aim to inspire the spirit of aloha, kindness, and collaboration among our community members. Kōkua, which loosely translates to giving without expecting anything in return, emphasizes selfless service to others, while making a meaningful impact in the lives of our community --one delicious bite at a time!
Grains for Good & Agrotourism
Grains for Good is our product line that features Portuguese Bread and Malasadas infusing Hawaiian flavors and agricultural products to give back to the local community. Curated by Chef Charles Akau, he uses island products to make our premium loaves and other Kona Coffee products. He distributes to our mainland audience so that Hawai’i products can thrive here and abroad and promotes a “buy one, give one” program from his company that gives to Hawai'i’s food insecure populations and food banks.
Grains for Good is an initiative to support Hawai’i-made products to sustain the local economy as we encourage tourists to participate in promoting a model of economic stability for our people. Our program also includes touring different farms to learn about local production and ways to create jobs on our island. We are seeking agriculture, resort and restaurant partnership to support our line of products and our Agrotourism program. Please contact info@mkhawaii.org if you are interested in collaborating.
Farming Advocacy
We work with Kona Coffee growers and advocates who know the importance of supporting one of the top agrotourism crops in Hawai’i—- Kona Coffee. Preserving the integrity of Kona coffee by purchasing directly from our small farmers ensures you are getting an authentic experience of our coffee. In allyship, we promote a number of initatives around Kona coffee labeling rights, false marketing of Kona coffee blends, and the protection of our heritage crop on the islands.
We will provide updates on our work with existing organizations that protect and preserve Kona coffee.