NASA Harvest is expanding its domestic food security work to the Hawaiian islands. Harvest’s AI lead, Hannah Kerner, is partnering with Maui United Way and Responsible Markets to create a GIS-enabled food security dashboard that will combine Earth observation data with socioeconomic and price datasets to fill knowledge gaps in agricultural production across Maui County with a focus on indigenous farmers. Kerner’s proposal was one of 39 selected this past July to receive funding as part of NASA’s Earth Science Division’s new Equity and Environmental Justice program. Maui County, HI has very high levels of food insecurity and children in particular are heavily impacted with an estimated 27% of children being food insecure. Once completed, the dashboard will allow local farmers and policymakers to continuously analyze local crop conditions and inform strategies to combat food insecurity and boost local production.

This program introduces students to sustainability systems and citizen science through an applied project using the NASA Harvest data application to create datasets of local farm crops for a Maui County food security dashboard.

This free program is offered through UHMC and Maui United Way with sponsorship by Kamehameha Schools and other generous donors through Ahupua'a Steward's funding. Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program. (Maui County Residents Only)

All central Maui Spots are filled. Still looking for East Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i students.

All interested 11th and 12th Grade Students and College students, please apply below:

If your farm would like more information or take part in this program, please go to the link below and submit your information: