Kīpuka: The Bright Spots

Marisa Castuera Hayase oversees a $150 million grant portfolio of grant making for The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, in Hawai'i, Baltimore, Pennsylvania and Israel. In this interview, Marisa explains the value of community-driven philanthropy that prioritizes long-term systemic change over short-term interventions. She emphasizes the deep interdependence between food systems, housing, and the workforce, advocating for ownership models where those most affected by issues lead the solutions. By focusing on "ʻāina-based" organizations—those that view land stewardship as a critical component of healthcare and economic resilience—she illustrates how supporting holistic programs can successfully address chronic health conditions while fostering intergenerational community well-being. With a family and current history in Hawai'i, she draws on the Hawaiian concept of kīpuka: areas of vegetation spared by lava flows that become starting points for natural regeneration. For more info on Marisa: https://www.pbshawaii.org/marisa-hayase-a-leaders-journey/ The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation: https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/ Marisa's essay, posted to LinkedIn on October 28,2024 about the Weinberg Foundation's 250 acre land grant to Ma'o Organic Farms The organizations mentioned by her in the interview: In Hawai'i (in alphabetical order) Lahaina Community Land Trust https://lahainacommunitylandtrust.org/ The August 15, 2024 episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" -- worth watching for even more than its endorsement of the Lahaina Community Land Trust: https://www.youtube.com/live/j8DxdibHibU More coverage on Lahaina Community Land Trust is here: https://lahainacommunitylandtrust.org/new 'Elepaio Social Services of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Center: https://webdev.wcchc.com/Services/Page/Elepaio-Social-Services Hawaii Farmers Union: https://www.hawaiifarmersunionunited.org/ Hawai'i Food Bank: https://hawaiifoodbank.org Hawaii Food Basket: https://www.hawaiifoodbasket.org/ Hawai'i Good Food Alliance: https://www.hawaiigoodfoodalliance.org Ma'o Organic Farms (also mentioned in other episodes, including episode 1 with Kamuela Enos): https://www.maoorganicfarms.org In Pennsylvania Commission on Economic Opportunity: https://www.ceopeoplehelpingpeople.org/snap National Sustainable Agriculture and Food System Funders: https://www.agandfoodfunders.org The TV episode about the Tovaangar of Los Angeles: City of Ghosts TV Series, Episode 4 (on Netflix, runtime 18 minutes Article on same - https://newsfromnativecalifornia.com/a-city-map-of-tongva-ancestors/ Credits: Created, produced, and hosted by Paula Daniels Sound engineer: Ben Lazarus Project support (content editing and sound assistance): Lizzy Liathaud Theme music: Caryssa Shinozawa Logo: Reiko Quitevis and Sue Woodard Created, produced, and hosted by Paula Daniels