Homestead Community Development Corporation welcomes Hawaiʻi Zero Waste Youth Alliance to Kauaʻi

Homestead Community Development Corporation recently welcomed 40 youth from the Hawaiʻi Zero Waste Youth Alliance to the Anahola homestead on Kauaʻi.

Organizers coordinated a weeklong event focused on leadership development, environmental education and community engagement for youth delegations representing every island.

Participants stayed at the 8-acre Kumu Camp on Hawaiian home lands at Anahola Bay and the week’s activities were hosted at Anahola Marketplace operated by the corporation and also on Hawaiian home lands.

“We are just blessed to see the talent and energy of the youth we’ve met this week,” said Homestead Community Development Corporation Deputy Director Garrett Danner in a release about the weeklong event. “All of us at [Homestead Community Development Corporation] feel grateful that they chose to hold their incredible meetings here on Hawaiian home lands, sharing mālama ʻāina in actionable ways — we are learning right along every participant here.”

Youth engaged in powerful conversations about waste reduction, environmental stewardship, recycling to decrease landfills and youth-led solutions that support a more sustainable Hawaiʻi.

Each youth delegation is implementing projects designed to meet the needs of their home island.

The alliance is also preparing to participate in an international recycling conference in April 2027 on Hawaiʻi Island, during which youth leaders will share their initiatives and connect with environmental professionals from around the world.

“Its just uplifting, inspiring to be around these next generation leaders, full of energy, ideas and real solutions!” Danner said. “They connect every action to our cultural beliefs and mindsets.”

Visit the Hawaiʻi Zero Waste Youth Alliance website for additional information about the alliance and its statewide initiatives.

Visit the Kumu Camp website for additional information about hosting retreats, youth programs or community initiatives at the camp. You can also email amp@hawaiianhomesteads.org to reserve meeting space at Anahola Marketplace.