Kit Kalajakawan and Nui Mizel of Maui Nui Farm produce a diverse range of crops and distribute and market them in a diverse fashion.
By Diane Ley, FSA State Executive Director, Hawaii and Pacific Basin
Sahatthaya “Nui” Mizel and her son, Kit Kalajakawan have turned a few acres of land into a growing enterprise.
Nui and Kit migrated from Thailand to Hawaii in the early 1990’s, and expanded their ventures to become master chefs, owning a catering business, to hosting a farmers market and of course, farming their 40-acre vegetable and flower farm they named Maui Nui.
“Working with FSA has allowed us to further diversify Maui Nui Farm and take advantage of successive new revenue generating opportunities,” said Nui.
The mother and son team are able to host a farmers market at the farm on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, offering consumers an opportunity to markets in the heart of Kahului where they can make purchases before or after work. The balance of the crops goes into catered meals for special occasions with menus ranging from Thai to Hawaiian to American cuisines. Rounding out the farm’s operations are group tours to teach young and old where their food comes from.
Recently, Nui used FSA funds to purchase a trailer that will allow for the expansion of value-added processing of fresh produce. “The result is happy customers and an increase in sales,” said Nui.
Maui Nui Farm is located in Kula, Maui and comprises a total of 40 acres. The farm grows a variety of crops including lettuce, zucchini, bananas, papayas and gold potatoes, as well as a large variety of flowers.
With the community the largest supporter of the farm, Nui and Kit find it important to give back. For 19 years they have donated fresh produce to the Maui Food Bank and this year, last fall they organized the Upcountry Cook-A-Thon fundraiser to support relief efforts for Sandy victims living miles away on the East Coast of the United States. The event was hosted at Maui Nui Farm and featured various Maui chefs preparing ethnic dishes including Mexican, Filipino and Thai with all proceeds donated to the American Red Cross.
