Join the O'ahu Tower Garden Hui (Annual)

Currently, Hawai'i's infrastructure does not support small farmers in a sustainable way. There are multiple barriers to land and water access, and small farmers cannot compete with imported food prices. With Tower Gardens, we're hoping to mitigate these issues by sharing the infrastructure and labor with our members. By growing this way, we've significantly lowered labor and transportation costs and have eliminated the need for food packaging.

Tower Gardens use considerably less space, time, and water to grow food as compared to growing in soil. There is no weeding and the towers take ~45 minutes to set up. Harvests can happen in 2 to 6  weeks depending on what's planted. After the initial set up, maintenance can be as little as 30 minutes per tower a week to refill the reservoir with water and nutrients and test pH levels, depending on what's being grown. Cleaning the towers involves soaking, a little scrubbing, and rinsing.

Hawai'i Tower Farms started in 2024 after owner Melissa Danielle completed the GoFarm Hawai'i AgXcel Beginning Farmer program. Recognizing the barriers and limitations to traditional market farming, Melissa turned to Tower Gardens to provide an efficient way to grow as much food as possible with minimal infrastructure.

We help families grow their own nutrient dense food at home with Tower Gardens. Become a member today and save 20% on plugs and provisions in our online store.

Membership includes

• Tower Garden Installation (for new orders placed through our affiliate link)

• $500 store credit + 20% off orders

• Monthly make and takes (seed planting and sharing)

• Tower Garden technical support via our online community

FAQs

What is a Tower Garden?

A Tower Garden is an innovative vertical growing system that uses air and minimal water (aeroponics) to grow plants. Learn more at the Tower Garden website

Is growing in a Tower Garden organic?

Technically, soil is required to grow organically, so no. However, there are ways to grow using organic methods in aeroponic systems, such as using organic seeds and compost tea. We use organic practices as much as possible in our growing systems.

Who's behind Hawai'i Tower Farms?

Hawai'i Tower Farms is owned and managed by Melissa Danielle. Melissa spent 15 years building community around food and farms in Brooklyn and throughout New York State before moving to Hawai'i in 2015. Melissa completed her farm training and studies with GoFarm, GoFish, Windward Community College, UH Manoa, Beginning Farmers Institute, and others.

In addition to farming, Melissa is a licensed massage therapist and new parent navigator.

Melissa also serves as a board member for Kailua Alert & Prepared and is a volunteer with Kailua Community Emergency Response Team.

Why a membership?

Annual membership provides capital and cashflow to a farm so that a farmer doesn't have to take out loans to get the growing season started. Membership is applied towards the purchase of seeds, starters, and supplies.

Does membership come with a Tower Garden?

Membership does not come with a Tower Garden.

If you do not own a Tower Garden, you can purchase a Tower Garden through the Tower Garden website or check out FB marketplace for used tower gardens. We recommend purchasing the Tower Garden Flex with a cage as well as dolly if you are growing outdoors, and the Green Bronx Machine if you are growing indoors. The links that lead to the Tower Garden website are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission on any sales made through those links at no additional cost to you.

I don't have/am not ready to buy a Tower Garden yet, can I still join?

Yes. We start seedlings in substrates suitable for both hydroponic systems and soil-based gardening. 

I do not live on O'ahu, can I still join?

Because the hui is intended to help members save on costs, living on Oahu where orders can be picked up in person is essential. We recommend joining our online community instead, where there will be opportunities to share special offers with community members. Click here to join

Where will events be held?

Events will be held on the Windward side of O'ahu, primarily Waimanalo and Kailua.

Where do you get your seeds and supplies from?

We order our seeds and supplies from

• Tower Garden

• High Mowing Organic Seeds

• Hawai'i Seed Growers Network

• TrueLove Seeds

• Johnny's Seeds

• Botanical Interests

• Leftover Love Co

What if I need to cancel my membership?

We'd hate to see you go, but you can cancel your membership at any time through your account.

What is your refund policy?

There are no refunds for membership fees. Refunds for seeds, plants, and supplies will be handled on a case-by-case basis.