News Room

This year marks Down to Earth’s 40th Anniversary of service to Hawaii. Down to Earth began in 1977, in Wailuku, Maui, when a group of friends started our first store (pictured above), and shortly afterwards opened the King Street store.  They did so out of a desire to help improve the health of Hawaii’s residents by making available organic and natural products at affordable prices (the slogan used to be, “Healthy foods at prices that won’t make you sick!”), and educating about the many benefits of living a vegetarian lifestyle.

Honolulu, HI (Feb. 6, 2017) -- Down to Earth Organic & Natural will relocate and expand its 6,000 square foot Kailua store into a 15,000 square foot space in the former Macy’s Building that is being re-developed by Alexander & Baldwin Inc. The new Down to Earth Kailua store is planned to open in late 2018/early 2019.

Honolulu, HI (Jan. 25, 2017) -- Down to Earth Organic & Natural has signed a long-term lease with Washington Prime Group, of Columbus, Ohio, for a new, stand-alone 10,000 square foot store that will be built at the Pearlridge Shopping Center on Oahu.  Pearlridge Center is the largest enclosed shopping center in Hawaii.  The new Down to Earth store is planned to open in the second half of 2018.

Honolulu, HI (Nov. 17, 2016) -- The new Down to Earth store is slated to open in early to mid 2018.  It will be a 13,000 square foot location on the ground floor of Keauhou Lane at the corner of Keawe St. and Pohukaina St., just a few blocks behind the SALT at Our Kaka’ako cultural center. 

Ohau’s first-ever VegFest was a huge success!  Held Sat. Sept. 24th at the Honolulu Hale, there were 40+ booths (Food, health, environment, music) and nearly 5,000 people attended.  Mayor Caldwell addressed the crowd and said park management reported that, for a first-year event, the huge attendance was unprecedented. He hoped it would turn into an annual event. Sen. Mike Gabbard presented a State Senate Resolution of Commendation to Joy Waters, festival producer. We hope to see you next year!

Down to Earth found that the U.S.’s top five diet-related chronic diseases cost the U.S. economy a staggering $1 trillion each year! This is an estimate of direct medical costs and the indirect impact of productivity losses due to illness and premature death associated with chronic heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis.

October is Non-GMO Month.  So, you might ask, what are GMOs?

Genetically Modified Organisms, called GMOs, are plants or animals with cells that scientists have altered genetically. They do this by inserting a gene from one organism into another similar organism—or between non-related species. The idea is to develop new plants or animals with specific desired traits and then grow them as food.

Yes, folks, it’s almost time for Oahu’s first ever VegFest!  Celebrating plant-based, sustainable living, it will be held Saturday, September 24th from 1:00-6:30 p.m. at the Frank Fasi Civic Grounds by Honolulu Hale.

VegFest Oahu continues their mission to make the link between diet and climate change with a hard-hitting press release and an invitation to the public to build Climate Change Exhibits for the upcoming event. Support the event by volunteering or by purchasing their Bumper Sticker with a project donation.

Down to Earth is pleased to be a sponsor of Hawaii's first ever VegFest Oahu, coming this September 24, 2016 from 1pm - 6:30pm at Honolulu Hale. Here's a roundup of what's new with the festival and how you can get involved.