Dean Wilhelm is a community leader from the island of Oʻahu and the co-founder and co-director of Ho'okuaʻāina — a gathering place for people to connect with and care for the ʻāina (land). Through the cultivation and preparation of kalo (taro), Ho'okuaʻāina perpetuates Hawaiian culture and provides healing for the community, especially at-risk youth.
He is also a musician and former teacher. Together with his wife Michele, Dean is working to nourish their entire ahupua‘a (watershed) with culturally rooted food grown with aloha. They’re building a regenerative system grounded in ancestral wisdom — one that uplifts communities across Hawai‘i and inspires transformation around the world.
In this episode, we talk about his Hawaiian upbringing, his years living away from Hawai‘i, giving his life to God, meeting his wife Michele, starting Ho'okuaʻāina, the importance of growing kalo, eating poi, their new Kalo Hotline, and so much more. Enjoy!
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