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How It Works

 

After booking your 2 night package, you can extend your time on the farm for 2 nights (or possibly more) as chef Justine's guest. We invite chefs, hospitality professionals, photographers, food artists, and culinary creatives who feel inspired to stay on the farm so they can connect with Hawaii’s food culture, and contribute to a growing community centered around sustainability, wellness, and handmade food. Must be referred by an industry leader directly connected to Chef Justine Ma.

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What You Can Offer

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• Teach a Class or Cook Dinner

  • Share your skills, bring ingredients from your home, and teach your signature dish and technique as a cooking experience or family-style meal using ingredients from our land and local partners with Chef Justine 

• Pitch Your Offer 

  • We value and respect everyone in the industry- tell us about yourself, what brings you joy and we'll see if it aligns!

 

What You’ll Receive

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• Discounted or complimentary extended stay (based on scope of contribution) in our off-grid tiny home for 1 industry guest​ (another guest may be added on if sharing a cabin or you can add-on family or friends during your stay, at cost)

• Access to our kitchen, garden and farm harvest

• Promotion on our social channels and newsletter

• Photos & content for your portfolio or brand

• A chance to connect with Hawaii’s food scene, explore new ingredients, recharge in a grounded space

• The opportunity to slow down, create, and connect with like-minded food lovers in Hawaii

 

Ready to Collaborate?

 

Come and connect—with ALOHA. Perfect for chefs in transition, professionals seeking inspiration, or anyone in the industry who is dreaming of a soft landing in Hawaii.

 

To Apply:

Share a short proposal or idea when booking your 2 night (minimum) stay and we’ll reach out to determine if there is time on the schedule.
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Please include the following with your booking:

• Your background

• Any referrals

• What you'd like to offer

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​volunteer only​​​

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For anyone looking to turn their stay into a meaningful exchange. 

After booking a 2 night stay on our farm, we offer a special opportunity to extend your experience in exchange for sharing your skills; basic weeding, feeding the animals, and housecleaning. Interviews required for approval, referrals appreciated.

 

For $225, spend an additional 6 nights, 7 days on the farm in the cabin (up to 1-2 people), and volunteer 8 hours on the farm. Meals not included.

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Monthly Rates:

• $800/month plus 16 volunteer hours, $50 wifi, electricity up to $50/month, and $50 for chicken feed if collecting eggs daily

• $500/month and 35 volunteer hours, $50 wifi, electricity up to $50/month, and $50 for chicken feed if collecting eggs daily

• $1200/month for 1 tinyhome, $1500 for 2 tinyhomes - 2 people max per cabin, 0 volunteer hours, $50 wifi, electricity up to $50/month, and $50 for chicken feed if collecting eggs daily

• $1500/month all -inclusive no volunteering

• $75/week plus 8/hours if you want to pitch your own tent and camp

• Skill trade for carpentry/handyperson work is available

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• Q: What kind of volunteer work does this entail?

• A: Gardening, painting, cleaning, feeding chickens, weeding, handyman skills; landscaper is hired every 3-4 weeks so lawn and all tree work is hired

 

• Q: What time does the work day start and end?

• A: We work in the rain or shine (and sometimes it's easier when it's raining). Ideally we'd like you to complete your commitment in two, 4 hour sessions and it should be a fun and enjoyable experience to get connected to the land! If you bring a partner and they do not want to work the land, you can take on their hours.

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• Q: How do I document my volunteer experience?

• A: You are asked to take before and after photos of their work. After each work period, please send team leader the photos, the start and finish time, and a short description of the task completed.

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• For longer volunteer periods, see example below:​

  • ​​8:00-11:00am (3hrs), Cleaning the Sugar Cane Wall, Total Hours Completed 3/16hrs - photo attached

  • 11:00-12:00pm (1hr), Weeding 4/16 - photo attached

  • 2:30-6:30pm (4), Building Planter Beds + Planting Trees 8 out of 16 trees - photo attached​

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• Q: What are the expectations while working?

• A: Before you start your volunteer experience, we will have an introductory meeting to discuss the task list upon arrival. We are happy to demo/explain how things work best on the farm. Please note the conditions may be hot or wet, however we encourage you to start early and avoid the high sun. PLEASE BRING A WATER BOTTLE + STAY HYDRATED. While working on the farm we encourage you to treat it like a mindful meditation. You can listen to music or podcasts while your work, please avoid phone calls during your work session.

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• Q: How do I receive my deposit when my retreat experience is complete?

• A: Before you leave, your room and communal areas must be deep cleaned to receive your deposit. Anything that is found broken (that was not communicated beforehand) may be deducted from your deposit- please communicate before you leave so owner is aware something needs to be replaced. 

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• At the end of your stay, please clean the communal living areas, and then meet with the team leader to show your space, recap your experience, and complete a questionnaire. If you are pressed for time, just clean your living quarters and then you can complete your recap via ZOOM and the questionnaire by email. As long as your hours are complete and your living space is clean, the deposit will be returned as received. If your area is not cleaned, $200 will be deducted to hire a cleaning service.

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• Q: I want to volunteer and I have an RV or tent to live out of, can you accommodate this?

• A: Yes, you can stay on property in your RV or tent for a special rate. You'll have access to all communal areas, high speed internet, recharging areas, a parking spot and unlimited well water. $200/person security deposit required and signed agreement. 

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•  Q: May I stay and volunteer longer?

• A: Longer stays are negotiable upon successful completion of your original agreement, and based upon availability. If approved, work trade experiences are $225/week for an additional 7 days, plus 8 work trade hours. Work trade hours can be completed in two, 4hr days. Additional meals and farmer market tours can also be added on when you extend your stay at a discounted rate

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