American Heart Association logoAmerican Heart Association

Kids and Teens
Cook with Heart

Maui, Hawaii
Donate to help end childhood obesity in Hawaii
Maui Kids Cook With Heart Chef Betty with kids

The American Heart Association’s Kids Cook with Heart course is an interactive, educational program designed to improve children’s nutritional choices and diets – as an important part of improved cardiovascular health – by engaging them in healthy cooking classes.

Though we’re directly influencing the health of hundreds of Maui teens, children and their families, there are many more families who don’t have access to the lifesaving health benefits of this program. Explore this site to find out more about Kids Cook with Heart and how you can support the health and wellness of Maui families.


Kids Cook with Heart served more than 575 kids last year in Maui, Hawaii.
Maui Health logo

Maui Health is a proud local sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Kids Cook with Heart Program.

Kids and Teens Cook with Heart in Action

 
KCWH

Kids Healthy Harvest Party

Second graders at Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School made parfaits to celebrate their year of work in their school garden program. They loved using local papaya and banana to make the layers of fruit and yogurt in a see through cup. “It’s better than any ice cream I ever had” and “I’m going to make this for my mom for Mother’s Day” were some of the comments from the second graders. Thank you Makana Aloha Foundation for making this event possible through your generous donation to the Maui Kids Cook with Heart Program.

Reaching Maui families at home with healthy homework assignments

Last year every child (400 kids) received a garden fresh take home kit to prepare a meal at home with their family and submitted photos to our photo contest. Winners won a cooler filled with chef equipment to help them continue cooking with their parents at home. Thank you Makana Aloha Foundation for this special gift for our keiki and their families.
Maui child cooking at home

Healthy Recipes

Join the fun! Check out an incredible selection of heart-healthy recipes that you can make at home.
Watch our recipe playlist on YouTube

Maui Kids Cook with Heart Recipe Guide

In Hawai`i, 1 out of 4 children entering kindergarten are already obese, so choosing healthy recipes for your family to enjoy is so important! This kid-friendly recipe guide is designed for parents and kids to make healthy snacks and meals together.
Download the Maui Kids Cook with Heart Recipe book (PDF)

High school junior chef Sofiya

High school junior chef Sofiya offers a recipe to make the yummy frozen treat she learned by participating in the American Heart Association’s Kids Cook with Heart Program at her Maui school. Try it at home with your student!
Maui high school junior Sofiya on YouTube

Where's the beef?

The American Heart Association's nutritional recommendations allow for lean beef in moderation. Check out this tasty recipe for Thai Beef Salad created by Maui Chef Betty McDonald featuring beef alongside a healthy salad.
Thai Beef Salad Recipe on YouTube

Princess Nahiena’ena School 5th Grader Nolan

Princess Nahiena’ena School 5th Grader Nolan teaches us how to make healthy, homemade tomato salsa.  Nolan learned his salsa-making skills through participation in the American Heart Association’s Kids Cook with Heart program at his Maui school!
Nolan Hashimura-Agmata on YouTube

Time for some fruit poke!

Slice up a fresh fruit salad with lime & honey dressing. Top it with granola and crushed nuts and you’ve got a delicious and healthy treat! 
Fruit Poke on YouTube

Volunteer

Would you like to volunteer in our Maui program?
Contact [email protected]

Thank you Kids Cook with Heart Chef volunteers!

Chef Craig Erickson of Kaanapali Beach Club, Chef Ryan Luckey of Leilani's, Chef Motley Adovas of Fond, Chef Betty McDonald of 3B Bakery, Chef Paris Nabavi, and Chef Rob Mason of RJ Gourmet. Thank you for giving your time to help your community. Thank you Chefs!

Chef Ryan Luckey of Leilani’s Restaurant volunteers with the Kids Cook with Heart program to teach Lahaina 5th graders how to make tasty healthy smoothies at home in lieu of junk food when they get home from school.

Thank you celebrity Chef Sheldon Simeon for joining the American Heart Association’s Kids Cook with Heart program as a chef volunteer! Sheldon is a Food Network Chef Winner, and owner of two local restaurants, Tin Roof Maui and Lineage.