Malu Aina Annual Christmas Appeal
Annual Christmas Appeal
Dear Friends, December 2019
Once a year we write to ask for your help to sustain the work of Malu ‘Aina for justice, peace and a living planet. This year is extra special. It marks the 40th anniversary of our founding, and the name Malu ‘Aina given by Bernard Punikai’a of Hale Mohalu and Kalaupapa. For 40 years we have survived as an all volunteer organization and have been very grateful for your donations of support that have made that possible. From the start we decided not to seek foundation money, corporate money, or government grants to maintain our independence and critical voice on important issues.
A donation of 21 acres of land from a friend was the seed to start Malu ‘Aina. Our vision was to start small and stay small, to be a kipuka of resistance, a base rooted in the principle of nonviolence, to learn and share sustainability skills to grow food, build simple structures, live off the grid, and organize for justice, peace and protecting the earth. We started living in tents, catching rain water and clearing old sugar cane land by hand to plant fruits and vegetables.
Over time we have built several small structures, still live off the electric grid and use rainwater catchment, planted more than 100 fruit trees and a wide variety of food crops to feed people. We have served as an emergency food pantry for over 30 years, helping thousands, conducted 948 consecutive weeks and counting of a Hilo Peace vigil at the downtown Post office/Federal Building , writing a new leaflet each week for distribution on the street corner and via the internet, and available on our website www.malu-aina.org. We continue efforts to stop the bombing and demilitarize Pohakuloa and all Hawaii, and to protect Sacred Mauna Kea from further desecration. Protecting Mauna Kea is a direct connection to protecting the planet from climate catastrophe. It all starts with respecting native people’s cultural and religious beliefs and practices. It means protecting the Sacred. Sacred before dollars!
After 40 years, Malu ‘Aina is in transition to a new generation of leadership. Hopefully, with your continued financial support and solidarity, and the volunteer helping hands of many, the vision of Malu ‘Aina will be carried forward for generations to come. What is most important is the spirit and mission — to stand in the spirit of nonviolence — Kapu Aloha, and work for a Hawaii and world rooted in justice, peace, and protecting the sacred – mauka to makai –from the mountains to the sea. Mahalo to all of you for your financial support and helping hands of solidarity in this journey of 40 years and beyond.
With gratitude and aloha,
Jim Albertini
Donations are tax deductible if checks are made to Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 ‘Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760. A Pay Pal account (Donate button) has also been set up on our webpage www.malu-aina.org as another convenient way to make donations. On the website, please click “Subscribe” to receive the Malu ‘Aina weekly peace leaflet and other posts or send me an email ja@malu-aina.org. with a request. You can also reach us by phone (808) 966-7622. Mahalo.
