About Waipono Farms

Meet the people behind the vision and learn what we are building, why it matters, and who we are building it for.

Our Story

Waipono Farms began with a question: what would it look like to care for this land as it deserves to be cared for?

The answer is still unfolding. It starts with regenerative agriculture rooted in aloha 'aina, local partnerships built on trust, cultural programs that keep Hawaiian knowledge alive, and a community with a real stake in what this place becomes.

Waipono is not being built as a destination. It is being built as a home for the people of Maui and for everyone who believes the land should give back more than it takes.

Meet the Leadership

The visionaries behind Waipono Farms

Bearded man wearing a black cowboy hat and a green leaf lei around his neck.

Corey

Co-Founder & CAO

Corey is a Maui-born farmer, builder, and family man who has spent his life learning from the ʻāina and the people who care for it. Drawing on years of experience in aquaponics, regenerative farming, and construction, he is committed to restoring food security and opportunity for local communities.

Quiet and down to earth, he leads Waipono Farms with the heart of a teacher, sharing knowledge, tending the land, and creating a place where no one has to leave home to be nourished.

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"Waipono Farms is about caring for the land and our people so that future generations can thrive here. Let’s make farming cool again."

Smiling woman with long brown hair wearing a large dark hat and floral dress near white flowers.

Akala

Founding Partner

Akala is a creator and entrepreneur whose work bridges holistic wellness, plant medicine, and community empowerment.

With her background as a chiropractic practitioner, experience in herbalism, real estate, and women‑centered microlending, she brings a deep commitment to helping people remember their own power and purpose.

At Waipono Farms, she stewards the cultural, creative, and educational programs, infusing everything from plant‑based culinary experiences to community gatherings with intention, beauty, and heart.

“My joy is weaving healing, art, and ʻohana into this land so everyone who visits feels seen, held, and inspired.”
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Smiling man with brown hair and beard wearing a blue blazer and checkered shirt.

Blake

CEO

Blake Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Waipono Farms, where he leads strategy, growth, and execution as the company builds a regenerative model rooted in land stewardship, agriculture, and community impact.

He is passionate about building scalable farm and ranch systems that create lasting impact, while helping lead the vision behind L.E.M.O. Gives, Waipono’s nonprofit initiative focused on giving back to Hawaiian communities through food access, education, and long term opportunity.
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"Waipono Farms is about creating something that gives back—to the land, to the community, and to future generations."
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A Growing Circle

Waipono Farms is being built with guidance from people who know this land, this culture, and this community. Our circle of advisors spans regenerative agriculture, Hawaiian land stewardship, hospitality, and community development. Their knowledge shapes how we build, not just what we build. We are grateful for everyone who has chosen to show up for this vision.

What if going on vacation meant leaving a place better than you found it?

Land

Regenerative agriculture

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Water

Preserved

Land

Protected whole

Culture

Transmitted

Studio homes

Cottages

Farm-to-table

Equestrian programs

Cultural immersion

Donate & stay

Our Mission

To nurture a living ecosystem on Maui where regenerative agriculture, community, and Hawaiian cultural connection grow together and give back more than they take.

What if going on vacation meant leaving a place better than you found it?

Land

Regenerative agriculture

Water

Preserved

Land

Protected whole

Culture

Transmitted

Studio homes

Cottages

Farm-to-table

Equestrian programs

Cultural immersion

Donate & stay

Our Vision

We envision Waipono Farms as proof that land can be restored, culture can be practiced and passed forward, and opportunity can be created, all from the same place, for the people who call it home. And that if it can happen here, it can happen elsewhere.

What if going on vacation meant leaving a place better than you found it?

Land

Regenerative agriculture

Water

Preserved

Land

Protected whole

Culture

Transmitted

Studio homes

Cottages

Farm-to-table

Equestrian programs

Cultural immersion

Donate & stay

Our Values

These are the principles that guide how we think, make decisions, and show up for this land and this community.

Mālama 'Āina

Care for the Land

We care for the land the way it has cared for generations before us. Not to extract. To restore.

Hoʻomau

To Perpetuate and Carry Forward

We honor the traditions, stories, and spirit of Hawaiʻi as a living responsibility. The culture of this land is not a backdrop. It is something we are committed to practicing, protecting, and passing forward.

Kuleana

Responsibility and Stake

We are committed to creating opportunity and value that extends well beyond the property, because the health of this land belongs to the whole community.

Lōkahi

Unity and Harmony

We believe strong communities are built through genuine participation, shared trust, and the understanding that we are stronger together than apart.

About Waipono Farms

Our Story

Meet the Leadership

Corey

Akala

Blake

A Growing Circle

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Our Mission

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Our Vision

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Our Values

The People and the Land. That's What This Is.

The People and the Land.
That's What This Is.