MAUI GOLD PINEAPPLE PARTNERS WITH MAUI NUI MARINE RESOURCE COUNCIL
Maui Gold Pineapple is proud to announce the creation of a test plot to pilot Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s (MNMRC) Reef-Friendly Landscaping program at their farm in Haliʻimaile. This collaboration aims to complement reef-friendly practices already in place at the farm and increase Maui Gold’s commitment to protect the island's coral reefs and coastal ecosystems.
"We are thrilled to join forces with the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council to pioneer this Reef-Friendly Landscaping initiative on our farm," said Darren Strand, director of agriculture at Maui Gold Pineapple. "As stewards of the land, we recognize the importance of protecting our coastal ecosystems. Continuing to implement more reef-friendly practices at Maui Gold is one way to show our commitment to sustainability and responsible land management."
The Reef-Friendly Landscaping program, developed by MNMRC, focuses on minimizing chemical pollution and runoff from agricultural and residential areas that harm marine life and coral reefs. The test plot will be treated with a biological soil amendment, which is a liquid filled with nutrients and microbes that will nourish crops while enriching the soil at the same time. Made locally by natural land-care company SoilThrive Hawaii, LLC, the amendment will be applied to the test plot via a custom delivery system specifically designed and engineered for Maui Gold. SoilThrive will also conduct 19 types of soil testing and crop monitoring in the test plot throughout the pilot period.
"We are excited to have Maui Gold Pineapple pilot our Reef-Friendly Landscaping program on their farm,” said Jill Wirt, program director at Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. “They are the first agricultural business to partner with us. We know the program’s success on their farm will demonstrate how agricultural businesses of all sizes can thrive while driving positive change for Maui’s land and reefs.”
Maui Gold Pineapple and MNMRC invite the community to learn more about their partnership and the Reef-Friendly Landscaping program at mauireefs.org/rfl and mauigold.com.
About Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that works for clean ocean water, healthy coral reefs, and abundant native fish in Maui County. For more information please visit mauireefs.org.
About Maui Gold Pineapple
For over 50 years, Maui Gold has produced Hawaii’s famously sweet pineapple. Grown on the slopes of Maui’s Haleakala with fresh water and nutrient-rich volcanic soil, Maui Gold pineapples are hand-harvested to ensure they’re picked at their peak ripeness. Located upcountry in Hali’imaile, guests can experience the history and culture of Maui Gold and see first-hand how the iconic fruit is produced on the Maui Pineapple Tour. Throughout the guided tour of the working pineapple farm, guests can taste the sweetness and take home a complimentary pineapple. Tours are available daily. To subscribe and receive Hawaii’s sweetest pineapple shipped from the Maui Gold farm, or for more information, visit MauiGold.com.