Students of Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino Hawaiian Immersion School on the Konawaena School Road in Kealakekua tend their kalo, or taro, patch in the school's garden. (Photo courtesy of The Kohala Center)
MEDIA RELEASE
The Kohala Center celebrates the 26th Annual World Food Day with a benefit “Seeds of Hope” luncheon for the Hawaii Island School Garden Network (HISGN) from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 16 aboard the Golden Princess docked at Hilo Harbor.Â
Reservations are required by Sept. 30.
“Children’s garden programs are sprouting and growing in schools all across Hawaii Island,” said Nancy Redfeather, HISGN project director. “Forty-nine schools have garden programs, which provide outdoor living laboratories for students to develop ecological literacy, provide hands-on learning experiences, develop healthy lifestyle choices, and participate in environmental stewardship.
“A school garden is the perfect tool to provide the kind of learning (Ma ka hana ka ike – “In working, one learns”) that our keiki and youth need today. Building gardens, preparing and nurturing the soil, planting and harvesting food, preparing and eating healthy foods that grow well on our island will help to prepare our young citizens for building a more sustainable world for our island’s future,” Redfeather said.
HISGN is a Kohala Center project and part of The Kohala Center’s food self-reliance initiative.Â
The Hauoli Mau Loa Foundation and the Ulupono Initiative are supporters of the Hawaii Island School Garden Network, along with the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Youth Matters Network and many individuals who believe that communities are well-tended gardens.
“Flourishing gardens mean flourishing communities,” said Matt Hamabata, executive director of The Kohala Center. “Something really good must be happening because the Hawaii Island School Garden Network is working with an amazing 49 school gardens. Wow!”
The benefit includes a HISGN program and a preview of Hawaii filmmaker Danny Miller’s “Seeds of Hope” documentary, which was filmed for Hawaii Public Television and features teachers and students in our island school garden programs.Â
Featured speakers Mayor Billy Kenoi and Sens. Russell Kokubun and Dwight Takamine will share their visions for a more sustainable and self-reliant food future for Hawaii.
Tickets are $50.Â
— Find out more:
Molly Hui at mhui@kohalacenter.org, 887-6411, or www.kohalacenter.org/seedhope/aboutseed.html
World Food Day: www.worldfooddayusa.org
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Students munch on strawberries at Innovations Public Charter School. (Photo courtesy of Krista Donaldson, Innovations Garden Teacher)
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