about Project CocoNet
Add an overline text
Project CocoNet is about more than technology—it’s part of decolonizing our relationship with ‘aina. For too long, coconut palms have been seen as liabilities in urban spaces, trimmed and culled to mitigate risk. Yet, these trees hold immense cultural and nutritional value. Through collaboration with partners like Niu Now, we are reclaiming traditional knowledge on coconut harvesting and processing, and demonstrating the role coconuts can play in restoring Hawai‘i’s food sovereignty.
The goal is to cultivate a future where coconut palms are not only safely managed but also actively contribute to local food systems. By proving that coconuts can be harvested in urban areas and exploring new ways to process and distribute coconut-based products, we are tapping into a locally abundant crop that requires no additional inputs– no extra land, water, or fertilizer. In this way, we are addressing food security challenges in a unique way that serves the land, the people, and the future of Hawai‘i.