Guests in the Garden

We love to welcome different professionals from around the island to share with our students. Our garden setting allows for a diversity of topics to be covered, and this semester we had a great mix!

In November we had Max Bowman, owner of ‘Ano‘ano Farms, come to talk about his local farming business, how he went from a “Honoka‘a boy” to a business owner in Waimea, and where we fit in the food system.

In January we had a presentation about sugar and diabetes from Kealoha Madriga, HEAL Coalition Coordinator and Aiyln Ilaban, onsite Keiki Nurse for WMS. Students got to try herbal soda’s with different flavors of simple syrup and sparkling water. A great way to Rethink Your Drink!

We also had a visit from local artisan (and WMS alumni) Avalon Paradea, where they shared about making pigments from soil. Students got to mix different types of soil with a binding agent to make a slurry, and then printed a bookmark using plants from the garden.

Kawehi Young and Sibley Barnette from BIISC, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, spoke to students about the Coconut Rhinocerous Beetle and it’s growing presence on our island. Students learned how to identify the different life stages, and how to build a bait station for tracking the beetle. Learn more at their website and protect your area with awareness!

In May we had local author Nikki Van De Car discuss her newly released young adult novel, “Invisible Wild”. She shared about what it was like to grow up in Volcano, Hawaii, and her journey to becoming a published author.

Our last guest presenter joined us at the end of the year to facilitate ku‘i kalo with our 8th grade class. Kahinu Payne from the Kohala Center shared about his work farming and preserving kupuna plants like kalo, ‘awa, and others. Students got to ku‘i - pound - kalo into ku‘i‘ai, a form of mashed kalo with some water added. More water and pounding is what gives you poi. But that is only one teaching; different practitioners call their kalo and it’s products by various names, and all are correct.

It was during this special activity that we received a surprise visit from several graduating alumni! They showed up in cap and gown to mahalo the mala and find their hand prints from 8th grade! :)

Mahalo to all our guests and their abundant ‘ike. What a special community we live in.