Support Hawaiʻi Banana Source: A Lifeline for Dreams & Maiʻa

Please note: During the donation process, GoFundMe suggests an optional tip to support their platform. This tip is not required and can be adjusted or removed by selecting 'Enter custom tip' and setting it to your preferred amount.

Six years ago, Hawaiʻi Banana Source gave me my first opportunity to grow and thrive as a Chinese immigrant in a land I was still learning to call home. It became my foundation, my hope, and my strength. Now, unexpected federal funding cuts have created a financial gap that threatens the future of this farm and Gabe’s 20-year passion for maiʻa. We can’t let it disappear.

Gabe is the hardest-working man I know, pouring his heart and soul into the farm every single day — yes, even on weekends and holidays! Your support is crucial in covering the essential expenses — from paying staff to maintaining trucks, equipment, and everything needed to keep this farm running. Every donation is more than just a gift; it’s a lifeline. Please, help us preserve this dream, protect Gabe’s passion, and create a lasting impact for the future.

*Why Your Support Is Critical Right Now! From Gabe:

"In 2023, we joined a USDA-funded project, The Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities, with high hopes. To comply with the project requirements, we had to delay planting in certain fields. What was initially projected as a few months turned into nearly 1.5 years of waiting. While it was a tough road, we believed the support from the grant would make it worthwhile.

However, at the end of 2024, we faced another unexpected challenge: a $40K upgrade to our off-grid power system needed to run our walk-in cooler and other essential farm operations. We sought USDA support, but unfortunately, we were ineligible due to not owning the land or having a long-term lease. We had to take on this hefty expense ourselves, using loans we had already taken, with the hope that the grant funds would soon be available to help offset these costs.

Just as the Climate Smart grant was approved and we were ready to begin work and access the funds, the project was unexpectedly canceled in April 2025. Now, we are left with empty fields where crops should have been, and without the grant money that could have helped us recover from the delays and expenses."

Please help us keep this dream alive. Your donation today will directly support the farm’s immediate needs!