Our food pantry began distributions out of a residence in 1997, before the Church even had a building.  Over the years, the pantry grew from monthly to weekly distributions on our campus, plus management of satellite distributions in Anahola, Kapaa and Wailua, plus outreach deliveries to the homebound and homeless encampments in these areas.  These pantries now distribute, free of charge, nearly 5 tons of food a week and serve a weekly average of over 400 participants reporting 840 individuals in their families.  We also distribute personal hygiene products and certain camp and survival supplies for our unsheltered participants.  Two medical clinics alternate supplying a mobile medical station for each of our fixed locations during pantry hours.

  The products we give away are donated by the Hawaii Foodbank, the Kauai Independent Food Bank, Foodland, the Kilauea Market, Hanalei Market and Hanalei Poi or are purchased without subsidization from Costco, Walmart, Target, Amazon and various Kauai food distributors.  All donations are applied toward the purchase, transportation, display and distribution of items given away and the supporting supplies and infrastructure.  The Ho`okipa Kauai Food Pantry is 100% volunteer.  Nothing is applied toward management or salaries.  The program’s success is attributable to the generosity of its donors and the loyalty of its volunteers.  Our food pantry manager was recognized by the Hawaii Legislature in 2022 as Kauai’s Community Hero in recognition of our work.

   Ho`okipa is a Hawaiian word meaning hospitality with aloha, which is hospitality that transcends the norm in serving others.  In accord with this concept, all distributions are operating or migrating toward the "client choice" distribution model, where participants choose what they want instead of being handed a prepackaged box of food chosen according to whatever is available in various government programs.  Giving someone a choice deters anonymity, shows respect and allows us to engage in meaningful relationships with our clients.  Client choice also reduces waste but requires more storage, volunteers, and money to purchase products not available at a discount.  For example, we buy up to 180 dozen eggs a week and are the only pantries on the Island offering fresh eggs on a regular basis.

  Our mission is to help provide the undernourished, working poor and unsheltered with a living and nutritional foundation, so they can work on improving their circumstances instead of worrying about their next meal.  When Covid-19 hit and other pantries closed to review their options, we stayed open and continued to feed the hungry throughout the health crisis.  Our core of member and community volunteers were more faithful than afraid.  Anyone wanting to join this Ohana is welcome.  We need help at the Church of the Pacific campus from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. unpacking and arranging items to be given away, then from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. distributing them and breaking down the displays.  Monetary donations are always needed as well.

For more information please visit hookipakauai.org