COMMUNITY
Steve
Steve Sakala is founder and owner of Honaunau Farm. He has educated hundreds of students from all over the world at the farm on regenerative agriculture and a wide variety of sustainability issues. Steve has been a sustainability consultant for 19 years including several years in W. Africa where he served in the Peace Corps. He has been living and working in Hawaii for the past 13 years and has worked on a diversity of projects including renewable energy, permaculture, green building, animal husbandry and soil health.
His agriculture experience includes over 20 years of experience working with medical cannabis. The last 7 of those years he has focused on medicinal hemp with high cannabinoid content and its potent and diverse health benefits. He is the founder and CEO of Mana Artisan Botanics and co-founder of Wholistic Research & Education Foundation. Steve, as part of his other company Green Hawaii Genetics, was contracted to grow Hawaii's first hemp seed varieties for Hawaii's Department of Agriculture Pilot Hemp Program. He has been working for many years to support sustainable agriculture and hemp legislation in the state of Hawaii both on the ground and at the policy level.
Steve was also the President of the local chapter of Hawaii Farmers Union United, which is part of the oldest agriculture organization in the country. In this position he has spent time in Washington D.C. and the Hawaii State Legislature lobbying for a stronger voice in regenerative agriculture. He also served as the Chair of the Democratic Party for much of West Hawaii. Steve graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.S in Natural Resources and City Planning with an emphasis in Appropriate Technology. Steve’s priorities are to support, design and help implement thriving social, environmental, cultural and economic models.
His agriculture experience includes over 20 years of experience working with medical cannabis. The last 7 of those years he has focused on medicinal hemp with high cannabinoid content and its potent and diverse health benefits. He is the founder and CEO of Mana Artisan Botanics and co-founder of Wholistic Research & Education Foundation. Steve, as part of his other company Green Hawaii Genetics, was contracted to grow Hawaii's first hemp seed varieties for Hawaii's Department of Agriculture Pilot Hemp Program. He has been working for many years to support sustainable agriculture and hemp legislation in the state of Hawaii both on the ground and at the policy level.
Steve was also the President of the local chapter of Hawaii Farmers Union United, which is part of the oldest agriculture organization in the country. In this position he has spent time in Washington D.C. and the Hawaii State Legislature lobbying for a stronger voice in regenerative agriculture. He also served as the Chair of the Democratic Party for much of West Hawaii. Steve graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.S in Natural Resources and City Planning with an emphasis in Appropriate Technology. Steve’s priorities are to support, design and help implement thriving social, environmental, cultural and economic models.
Melinda
Melinda has helped co-create Honaunau Farm over the last 8 years, bringing her love of community, beautiful spaces and wholesome living to the project. She has worked in the health, wellness and environmental fields for over 20 years and intimately understands the inter-connection between the health of our bodies and our environment as well as our mental, emotional and spiritual state of being. She has a BSE in Environmental Engineering with a focus on sustainable systems and green building. She is a certified qigong and yoga instructor and spent many years as a massage therapist.
Before moving to Hawaii, she founded and ran a non-profit with a mission to help re-awaken feminine wisdom and cofounded Luminaria Sanctuary a wellness retreat in the Columbia River Gorge. She is a long time student of metaphysics and is dedicated to walking a path of deep awareness, expanded perspective and personal integrity. Her journey is infused with light hearted humor and a constant desire to spiral things up. She is passionate about sharing what she has learned and continues to evolve and grow her wisdom with each new experience life offers.
Melinda is a co-owner & co-founder of Mana Artisan Botanics and offers private life coaching at Medicine Within.
Before moving to Hawaii, she founded and ran a non-profit with a mission to help re-awaken feminine wisdom and cofounded Luminaria Sanctuary a wellness retreat in the Columbia River Gorge. She is a long time student of metaphysics and is dedicated to walking a path of deep awareness, expanded perspective and personal integrity. Her journey is infused with light hearted humor and a constant desire to spiral things up. She is passionate about sharing what she has learned and continues to evolve and grow her wisdom with each new experience life offers.
Melinda is a co-owner & co-founder of Mana Artisan Botanics and offers private life coaching at Medicine Within.
Maria
Maria is an original investor and long term community member of the land that hosts Honaunau Farm. She is a private chef and business owner of Domestic Bliss Services which offers "rustic gourmet cuisine", sourcing local and organic ingredients honoring the farm to table methodology. Maria's business caters to clients seeking an experience of excellence, uniqueness and simple elegance in the enjoyment of their own home. Maria offers her high-end services to the community at large, having been head chef and kitchen manager to a destination resort home on the south kohala coast for 4 years. She is also a licensed Massage Therapist specializing in Lomi Lomi massage.
Maria's interests have taken her around the globe participating in several humanitarian organizations throughout India, Nepal, South and Central America, and Africa. She has participated in many communities and projects over the years and has helped initiate some. She began a quest for spiritual attainment at the age of 17 and traversed many paths and traditions. Now, she is a devotee of The Sant Mat Teachings, a spiritual practice awakening through life and a vigorous mediation discipline.
Maria is a lover of nature, animals, family & friends, and the changing of consciousness through clear presence, awareness and communication. She works on the Big Island intermittently during the high season and lives most of the year in Ashland, OR with her partner Andre and son Eyera.
Maria's interests have taken her around the globe participating in several humanitarian organizations throughout India, Nepal, South and Central America, and Africa. She has participated in many communities and projects over the years and has helped initiate some. She began a quest for spiritual attainment at the age of 17 and traversed many paths and traditions. Now, she is a devotee of The Sant Mat Teachings, a spiritual practice awakening through life and a vigorous mediation discipline.
Maria is a lover of nature, animals, family & friends, and the changing of consciousness through clear presence, awareness and communication. She works on the Big Island intermittently during the high season and lives most of the year in Ashland, OR with her partner Andre and son Eyera.
Shimyrre
Shimyrre came to the farm to explore living a more healthy lifestyle, to expand her knowledge of growing medicinal plants and to cultivate connections and community. She has a love for getting people excited about plant medicine. After receiving her degree as a Holistic Health Practitioner at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, she worked alongside Naturopathic physicians and wellness consultants in a variety of settings. She has since found her niche in medicine making and guiding others to make more educated choices in incorporating botanicals into their lifestyle. Shimyrre is now based in Phoenix, AZ and returns to the farm quarterly as part of her role as Head Herbalist and Director of Product for Mana Artisan Botanics.
Community From a Distance (past residents, students, caretakers, artisans)
ASHLEY & JEREMIAH
Ashley and Jeremiah moved to Hawaii and Hoanunau Farm from New York to further their knowledge and experience in permaculture, wilderness survival and eco-villages. Both having a passion for helping people become resilient, responsible for themselves and the environment, Permaculture was the perfect match. Ashley and Jeremiah completed a Permaculture Design Course in 2017. They strive to have a farm/eco-village one day where they can help strengthen their community and beyond, by demonstrating to people that they can survive economically via non-traditional means. They would like to spend more time traveling to learn more about plant medicine and farming techniques from other cultures.
Ashley grew up in NYC and always wanted to be closer to nature. She spent her childhood camping every summer with family which she loved. Wanting to get out of the city and into nature, Ashley has a philanthropic background with a focus in communications and community outreach. She is very passionate about animals and growing her own food, as well as cooking and enjoying the beach. She dreams of teaching children about gardening and caring for animals in the future. Ashley brings her community outreach skills, enthusiasm and love for Permaculture to Honaunau Farm as our Retreat Manager and Gardener. She co-leads farm tours and educational offerings with her partner Jeremiah.
Jeremiah grew up with the Appalachian Trail in his backyard and always felt connected to nature. He comes to Honaunau Farm with a background in construction, perishable foods, herbalism, and basic survival skills. He is very passionate about learning and teaching others about sustainability, and dreams of having an ecovillage in the future where he will be able to design programs for people to learn and gain hands-on experience. Jeremiah is our Farm Manager and co-leads farm tours and educational offerings with Ashley.
Silvana
Silvana is thrilled to be part of the Honaunau Farm community. She has worked in the health & wellness field for over 20 years. She holds BAs in Physical Education and in Psychology and certificates in Massage Therapy and Personal Training. Originally from Brazil, she lived in the Bay area, CA for 17 years before moving to Hawaii. One of her main pursuits in life has been cultivating self-awareness and greater understanding about the connection between our general health and our mental, emotional and energetic states.
Boris
Boris came to the farm to learn about sustainable living and community. Originally from Russia, Boris served with the US Air Force before attending the widely influential Creative Circus, an advertising/design portfolio school in Atlanta. Currently freelancing as a graphic designer (orangemonkey.co), his approach is centered on clarity and objectives-based construction. He has a love for all things sustainable, mobile, and highly functional and is often experimenting with building and woodworking. Boris believes that travel and exploration are amongst the best ways to learn about ourselves and enhance our ability to relate to one another, that's what being human is all about.
Zaianna
Zaianna was drawn to Honaunau Farm by her strong pull to visit Hawaii. As a full time traveler for two years in Asia, Zaianna was a volunteer and member of several intentional communities centered around principles of permaculture and eastern spiritual philosophies including her time spent at The Mindfulness Project, a community organized within a buddhist monastery. She completed a permaculture design course (PDC) at Panya Project in northern Thailand as well.
Zaianna has a BA in Marketing and Management and an AA degree in buying and merchandising from New York where she was born and raised. She ultimately shifted professions to study more about her growing passion for holistic wellness. Zaianna became certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition as a Holistic Health Coach and continued on to receive her yoga teacher training and reiki master level training in India. She seeks to fulfill her purpose by facilitating methods of personal development, compassionate consciousness, community service and holistic healing for others. She enjoys leading international workshops and retreats with an emphasis on ecotravel and humanitarianism, while also blogging in her spare time.
Zaianna has a BA in Marketing and Management and an AA degree in buying and merchandising from New York where she was born and raised. She ultimately shifted professions to study more about her growing passion for holistic wellness. Zaianna became certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition as a Holistic Health Coach and continued on to receive her yoga teacher training and reiki master level training in India. She seeks to fulfill her purpose by facilitating methods of personal development, compassionate consciousness, community service and holistic healing for others. She enjoys leading international workshops and retreats with an emphasis on ecotravel and humanitarianism, while also blogging in her spare time.
Emily
Emily was Honaunau Farms retreat cocreater, yoga instructor and retreat chef. She is a vibrant soul with a zest for life and a curious mind that loves engaging in creative projects! She thrives in community and is cultivated deep connections with those around her on the farm and in the local community.
Emily has been exploring organic farming and natural wellness for several years. She had a very impactful and transformative time as an organic farming and medicinal herb intern at Innisfree Farm, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. From there she went on to become a certified yoga teacher and was a chef at a raw vegan eco retreat on the Big Island.
She was drawn to Honaunau Farm because of her resonance with the foundation of wellness and permaculture principles and with Steve and Melinda's vision for the farm. She felt deeply connected to the community and is grateful for the nourishing relationships and supportive container the community provided for her growth. Emily enjoyed spending her free time gathering from the land, experimenting with farm produce, visioning retreat offerings, painting, swimming at the beach and exploring the surrounding natural beauty.
Emily has been exploring organic farming and natural wellness for several years. She had a very impactful and transformative time as an organic farming and medicinal herb intern at Innisfree Farm, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. From there she went on to become a certified yoga teacher and was a chef at a raw vegan eco retreat on the Big Island.
She was drawn to Honaunau Farm because of her resonance with the foundation of wellness and permaculture principles and with Steve and Melinda's vision for the farm. She felt deeply connected to the community and is grateful for the nourishing relationships and supportive container the community provided for her growth. Emily enjoyed spending her free time gathering from the land, experimenting with farm produce, visioning retreat offerings, painting, swimming at the beach and exploring the surrounding natural beauty.
Greg & Heather
Greg and Heather came to Hawaii from the northeast hoping to escape the cold, grey winters and to deepen their understanding of Permaculture and Regenerative Living. They bring much agricultural experience to the farm, having worked with the soil in a variety of places including North Carolina, New Mexico, St. Croix, and Belize. They even met on Farmersonly.com! Both are also massage therapists and enjoy nourishing the body as much as nourishing the land. "We are feeling deeply grateful for the abundant opportunity Hawaii and Honaunau Farm have offered us, as we witness our dreams becoming our reality. Aloha!"
Jed & Leanna
Jed and Leanna came to Honaunau Farm in the summer of 2015 from Austin Texas to work as caretakers. With intentions of setting down roots in Hawaii, they felt incredibly blessed to have landed on such an amazing farm and into a thriving and loving community. Jed and Leanna are both passionate about sustainability and preserving the land and its resources for the next generations. Living close to nature was a big draw for them in their move to Hawaii – a land rich in food, medicine, and beauty. Jed is an adventure seeker who loves to swim and run, keep bees, climb coconut trees, fix and create things. Leanna is passionate about holistic natural medicine, education and empowerment for youth, cooking delicious meals, and connecting with the hearts of others. Both Jed and Leanna are Certified Medical Biomagnetism Practitioners. For more information about Jed and Leanna and Biomagnetism, visit their website: www.bigislandbiomag.com or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bigislandbiomag.
Teo
Teo is an eclectic artist, builder, gardener, stoneworker, and instructor using natural materials. He has studied with master artisans from around the world. He designs and builds structures and creates spaces that are in synergy with nature and promote life and beauty. Teo did an artisan exchange on the farm, consulting on future designs and building an organic lava rock wall in front of the Community house.
For more on Teo's work see his websites below.
www.livingartscollective.org
www.livingartsdesign.blogspot.com
For more on Teo's work see his websites below.
www.livingartscollective.org
www.livingartsdesign.blogspot.com
Hannah
Hannah was an intern and then renter on the farm. She was born in upstate NY and moved to the Big Island several years ago. Since arriving she has flourished and catalyzed her photography business. Since the creation of Hannah C's Photography's, her love of photography has only grown as she learns more about different techniques and styles, as well as more about herself. Something she continues to notice that sets her a part from other photographers is her ability to find the interesting in what most would find ordinary. She has an eye for beauty and composition that most people would just pass by.
Hannah's time on the farm was one she will never forget. Her photography continued to be nourished as she had endless photo ops while she milked the goats and sheep, tended the garden, and pulled more weeds than she cares to remember :) the farm work is never done!
Since Hannah moved on from the farm she has been busy with her business doing wedding and family photography. She is continually inspired by combining her love for Hawaiian landscapes and nature with the love people share for one another. She finds the combination is absolutely stunning. For more on her photography you can visit her website.
http://hannahcsphotography.com/
Hannah's time on the farm was one she will never forget. Her photography continued to be nourished as she had endless photo ops while she milked the goats and sheep, tended the garden, and pulled more weeds than she cares to remember :) the farm work is never done!
Since Hannah moved on from the farm she has been busy with her business doing wedding and family photography. She is continually inspired by combining her love for Hawaiian landscapes and nature with the love people share for one another. She finds the combination is absolutely stunning. For more on her photography you can visit her website.
http://hannahcsphotography.com/
Jessica
Jessica Naudziunas is a video journalist who currently lives in New York and works for ABC News as the Head of Digital Video for Good Morning America. She spent the summer of 2012 on the farm after two years as an agricultural journalist on the Mainland's Midwest. She wanted to test the theories, stories, and lessons she learned as an ag reporter, in addition to practicing vegetarianism on a working farm. The time on the farm was transformative for Jessica, and she will always remember bonding with the goats and caring for the other beautiful animals on the farm.
Theresa
Theresa moved onto the farm with her family with hopes of helping grow the community. On the farm she assisted with office work and management of interns as well as caring for guests and other community members. She thrives in community and works to promote more connection and growth through cooking meals and hosting gatherings. She studied History and Religious Studies in depth throughout her collegiate education in order to gain a broader understanding of people and cultures so that she can more deeply engage with others.
Tony
Tony helped oversea and tend the farm and animals. He is a plant ecologist from UC Santa Cruz where he focused in agroecology, natural history, land stewardship and community living. He has worked as a core leader in the Kresge Garden Coop, an intern with the Chadwick Garden, a farm hand at Hale Akua, and a member in several intentional communities. As an ecologist, his land management centers around soil building and biomimicry.
He has a deep love of plants and growing and sharing food. He is a naturalist who is very at home in nature and living close to the land. He is a lover of community and enjoys exploring the abundance that island life has to offer with friends, community members and travelers.
He has a deep love of plants and growing and sharing food. He is a naturalist who is very at home in nature and living close to the land. He is a lover of community and enjoys exploring the abundance that island life has to offer with friends, community members and travelers.
Chauntelle & Peij
Peij and Chauntelle are from upstate New York and Alabama and interned on the farm for 6 months. Both having interests in sustainable agriculture and gardening. They met at a permaculture design course and decided to further their education by moving to Hawaii and exchanging on the farm. They are both travelers and adventures passionate about improving the soil wherever they go. Their interests include mycology mulching herbalism and edible land design.
Bethann
Anjani is a vibrational health practitioner. She is a body therapist and offers specialized body therapy and healings. She shares various modalities including Chi Nei Tsang, Karsai, Jin Shin Jyutsu Acupressure, Hawaiian Lomilomi, Hawaiian Breathwork, A'e and Thai Massage. These forms are deeply corrective and therapeutic. She works intuitively and integratively. Over the past 15 years, She has taken many classes and is honored and humbled to share the lineages that have been passed down to her, with you.
She is also passionate about Raw Living Foods. With her background as a nurse and colon therapist, she has a deep knowledge about the body and is able to offer nutritional education and work with you towards optimal health. She serves as a mindful eating mentor, a raw food alchemist and chef. She offers guided internal cleanses and fasts here in Hawaii and creates personal retreats.
She is also passionate about Raw Living Foods. With her background as a nurse and colon therapist, she has a deep knowledge about the body and is able to offer nutritional education and work with you towards optimal health. She serves as a mindful eating mentor, a raw food alchemist and chef. She offers guided internal cleanses and fasts here in Hawaii and creates personal retreats.
Sasha & Olena
Sasha is a talented cook, herbalist, wildcrafter, medicine woman and mother. She has lived on Hawaii for the last 8 years working on several farms, growing food and cooking for several communities. She is a retreat chef and loves growing, harvesting, preparing and using herbal medicines. Her beautiful and sassy daughter Olena was a bright light on the farm and in the larger community. She is curious, talkative, creative and silly. She loved playing with the ducks and baby goats and just tagging along for any farm adventures.
Suzie
Susie is a licensed master esthetician and that brings 15 years of organic and vegan skincare training to Hawaii. She creates farm fresh skincare products and facials that are tailored and created fresh for each client using herbs, fruits, and veggies from the garden. Her joy and passion is creating a relaxing one of a kind experience that clients never forget. She is also a vegan chef and holistic health counselor.
Suzie spent a year caretaking on the farm and has since opened the first skincare spa dedicated to using only raw vegan skincare products that she custom formulates for her clients called Glow RAW Skin Spa.
www.GlowRawWorld.com
Suzie spent a year caretaking on the farm and has since opened the first skincare spa dedicated to using only raw vegan skincare products that she custom formulates for her clients called Glow RAW Skin Spa.
www.GlowRawWorld.com
Stephen
Stephen is a self trained chef, and was blessed to work at The Curious Palate a farm-to-table kitchen in LA where they pursued the muse of curious food with only the most delicious, fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients sourced from local, year-round farmer's. He was one of the resident chef's on the farm and worked at Holuakoa, a local award winning slow food movement restaurant sourcing only local meats. Stephen raised ducks and chickens as part of the Holuakoa supply here on the farm.
Stephen thrives in a place where there is passion and respect, not just for food and the land, but also for people, and for a better, cleaner, more peaceful way of life. Honaunau farm is a place where he experienced a synthesis of ideas and practices, and had an opportunity to learn more about himself, while also learning the nuts of bolts of sustainable farming and holistic community living. He now resides in LA and has started a farm to table venture their.
Stephen thrives in a place where there is passion and respect, not just for food and the land, but also for people, and for a better, cleaner, more peaceful way of life. Honaunau farm is a place where he experienced a synthesis of ideas and practices, and had an opportunity to learn more about himself, while also learning the nuts of bolts of sustainable farming and holistic community living. He now resides in LA and has started a farm to table venture their.
Frank, Shivanni & Julien
Frank, Julien, and Shivanii came to the farm from Colorado to live a more holistic life in supportive community. They love spending time together. They enjoy time with friends and family sharing good food and experiences. A healthy relationship with nature is extremely important to them, as well as a life filled with exploration, creativity and play.
Frank is a husband, father and artisan. He is passionate about sustainable design. As an artist he feels a deep responsibility to create in relationship with the planet. Whether building furniture, painting watercolors or turning wood, the artist's materials are as integral to art as the artist. He also enjoys archery.
Julien grew from a toddler to a little boy on the farm. He loves reading books, telling stories, and playing games and spending time in the tide pools. His favorite thing to do was walk across the farm all by himself, pick a kumquat, eat the skin and share the rest with the ducks.
Shivanii is a wife, mother, and philosopher. As a user experience designer, she is focused on making technology that serves humanity and not the other way around. She enjoys grounding herself in motherhood, playing, cooking, going to the ocean, reading, and gathering fresh and delectable fruits from the land and garden.
The family now lives on the Honokka coast with the hopes of starting a spice farm.
Frank is a husband, father and artisan. He is passionate about sustainable design. As an artist he feels a deep responsibility to create in relationship with the planet. Whether building furniture, painting watercolors or turning wood, the artist's materials are as integral to art as the artist. He also enjoys archery.
Julien grew from a toddler to a little boy on the farm. He loves reading books, telling stories, and playing games and spending time in the tide pools. His favorite thing to do was walk across the farm all by himself, pick a kumquat, eat the skin and share the rest with the ducks.
Shivanii is a wife, mother, and philosopher. As a user experience designer, she is focused on making technology that serves humanity and not the other way around. She enjoys grounding herself in motherhood, playing, cooking, going to the ocean, reading, and gathering fresh and delectable fruits from the land and garden.
The family now lives on the Honokka coast with the hopes of starting a spice farm.
Gabriella & Matias
Gaberiella & Matias came to the farm to learn about sustainable community living from Argentina. They brought so much fun, creativity, beauty and depth to the farm, sharing their passion for life, friends and cooking! They have gone on to do work exchanges at other farms and are now creating their own eco-retreat on the coast in Argentina!
Nick & Cate
Nick and Cate joined us from Washington State as part of an extended year long honeymoon adventure. They came to learn about permaculture and sustainable living practices. Nick and Cate brought so much thoughtfulness, hard work and positive energy to the farm. After their 4 month stay, they went on to travel in South East Asia and to caretake other farms.
Caleb, Ankea & Arun
Caleb and Ankea moved to the farm while pregnant with Arun. They had a home birth on the farm and blessed us all. Ankea and Caleb are world travelers with incredible visions and vibrant energy. Caleb is from the Big Island and has a knack for marketing. He is a Thai massage therapist and instructor as well as a mentor for men's groups. Ankea works in the NGO world and has done projects in Vietnam and Cambodia. She is a strong feminine role model, a wonderful mother and an excellent cook! For more info on Caleb and Ankea, please visit www.retreatyourself.org.
Claire & Darragh
Claire and Darragh came to the farm as a young couple exploring the world from Ireland. They expanded their horizons in many ways during their stay on the farm and have moved out into the world with new skills and a zest for holistic living. They have gone on to do work exchanges at other farms and to share what they learned with friends and family back home.
Juan & India
Juan & India were a hardworking fun loving addition to the farm during their 6 month stay. India was an incredible cook and Juan a tireless helping hand. They had an amazing love for animals and showered all our furry four legged friends with so much warmth and care. John went on to work for an organic food company and India now shares her passion teaching kids.