Founded by Issei pioneer B.D. Mukai in 1926 as a strawberry farm, Mukai Farm & Garden today is on the National Register of Historic places with our rare heritage home, Japanese Garden, and Barreling Plant. Open and free to the public, we celebrate Vashon Island’s Japanese American and agrarian heritage. Come visit!
Haiku Festival in Full Swing! Have You Submitted Yet?
Mukai is accepting haiku poetry for the 2025 Annual Haiku Festival until April 24. Poems — written in the ancient Japanese 17-syllable poetic form arranged in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables — can be submitted and considered for the following themes and prizes:
- Nature, with an award for the haiku with the most elegant and poignant depiction of some aspect of nature.
- Heritage, awarding the haiku that best portrays the history of some other aspect of Mukai Farm & Garden.
- Reflections, awarding the remembrance of meaningful moments that are important or personally significant.
- Social Justice, awarding insight on social equity
- Young Poet, with awards for the best haikus written by youth in elementary and secondary grades.
In recent years, the popularity of the contest has grown to such an extent that a rule has become necessary: only one entry per person, please.
April Greetings from Mukai Farm & Garden
Our April newsletter is here! Check out the latest updates and events happening at Mukai:
- We’re thrilled to welcome Jade Keala Agua as Mukai’s new Executive Director! A longtime Vashon Island resident and nonprofit leader, Jade brings a wealth of experience in education, fundraising, and community engagement. Go the our Newsletter page to check out a letter from Jade.
- Calling all poets—Mukai’s 2025 Haiku Festival is open for entries! Submit your original haiku between March 18 and April 24 in one of five categories, with winning poems announced in May.
- Friends of Mukai on Vashon Island is honored to announce that we have received a $45,000 grant from the T-Mobile Hometown Grant Program to construct a memorial sculpture at Ober Park to honor the legacy of the 111 Vashon residents of Japanese descent who were expelled from their homes on Vashon Island on May 16, 1942, in response of Executive Order 9066. An unveiling event for the design of the statue will be held at Ober Park at 10:00 on May 18 at Vashon’s annual Day of Exile ceremony.
- Spring is officially here! Mukai Farm & Garden is bursting with life and needs your help! We’re hosting a work party on 4/26/25 from 10AM to 4PM and invite you to join us for a day of community and contribution.
- Learn the traditional Japanese art of fabric wrapping at the Vashon Library on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, between 6:00PM – 7:30PM. In this hands-on workshop, learn the knots and techniques for gift wrapping and transporting items using this versatile cloth. To register, contact [email protected]
- Friends of Mukai is thrilled to share that Jeannie Berwick has joined our Board of Directors. Jeannie brings a rich mix of experience to Friends of Mukai, including many years of work in local food systems.
Restored Barreling Plant Promises a Lively Mix of Local Entrepreneurs and Non-Profits
Friends of Mukai has secured agreements with four new tenants who plan to set up businesses early next year when the Fruit Barreling Plant is fully restored and open. Three of the tenants are food related: Fernhorn Bakery, Fuku Ferments, and a community commercial kitchen operated by the Vashon Island Growers Association— all coming together as part of the emerging Vashon Food Hub. The fourth tenant, Refill Vashon will create sustainable products from plant mixes for home use. There is one remaining space available at this time.
The front portion of the building, adjacent to the entry areas and loading dock, is 1200 sq. ft of shared community space that will be used by the tenants and broader community for events, meetings, classes, workshops, exhibit storyboards on the history of the building, loading dock performance stage support, and more.
Friends of Mukai plan to begin the $3M restoration late this summer, unless federal funding previously granted to us is rescinded. Our goal is to finish in early 2026, just in time for the building’s 100th Anniversary. At long last, we can celebrate the Barreling Plant’s return to its original purpose of food production and preservation!
Check out the tenant space plan showing five separate tenant spaces, including the one remaining available space. It’s an exciting time for Vashon Island! Stay tuned for updates…
Consider Mukai Farm and Garden for your next event!
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the historic home and grounds are a perfect setting for a perfect event. As you plan your 2025 calendar, remember we are ready to accommodate private events at Mukai for groups of all sizes — from small parties, meetings, and larger events such as showers, weddings and celebrations of life.
The ease and convenience of being able to walk in and have everything you need from chairs and tables, plates glasses, and silverware, to tea and coffee service is a real gift. Our rates remain modest at $75 per hour for the house and $150 per hour for the house and garden. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations may receive a 30% discount off posted rental rates.
Seating inside the house can accommodate 40 people. An outside event can accommodate a larger group. During the summer months, we have two large tents (20×40) and you will have access to smaller pop-up tents (10×10) as well.
To request a tour contact us at [email protected] And for further information: https://mukaifarmandgarden.org/rentals
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CONTINUE TO OFFER HISTORIC AND MULTI-CULTURAL ENRICHMENT FREE OF CHARGE TO THE COMMUNITY.
Please support Mukai; make a donation here!
We rely heavily on community financial support that allows us to produce all of these events—for you! Donations are tax deductible.
