School: Nānāikapono Elementary School
Grade Level: Grades 3-6
Teacher: Wendy Gumm and Luania Sula
Driving Question: How do we teach and encourage sustainable gardening practices within our community to foster relationships with the ‘aina and our ohana?
What did the students DO?
The Guardians of the Garden program continues to inspire haumāna through experiential learning rooted in mālama ʻāina and Hawaiian cultural values. By engaging in sustainable gardening, preparing healthy meals, and sharing their abundance with others, students have deepened their relationship with the ʻāina and embraced kuleana (responsibility) to care for and uplift their community. Their efforts culminated in the Mini Mākeʻeke Market, showcasing their growth, generosity, and pride.
- Garden Maintenance and Mālama ʻĀina: Haumāna actively cared for the school garden by restructuring planter beds, planting new seeds, and harvesting fresh vegetables and herbs. They demonstrated kuleana by taking ownership of daily tasks and incorporating advice from farming mentor Lonni Sipe of Hoa ʻĀina o Mākaha and maintenance at the Nānākuli Public Library, who taught them hands-on techniques rooted in local knowledge and sustainability.
- Culinary Creations and Ola Kino (Well-being): Using harvested produce, students prepared nutritious dishes like herb-filled pesto pasta, cucumber-mint water, salsa, and garden-fresh tacos. They explored new flavors, including their first taste of papaya, and practiced maʻa (discipline) by learning kitchen skills and preparing meals with intention and care. Each recipe reinforced their understanding of ai pono—eating in a way that honors health and the earth.
- Artistic Expression and Aloha ʻĀina: Students brought life and color to the garden by painting new signposts and adding creative touches to the space. Through these projects, they expressed aloha ʻāina—a deep love and respect for the land—while enhancing the environment for future visitors and fellow learners.
- Community Engagement and Hoʻokipa: The group proudly participated in two Mini Mākeʻeke Markets, where they gave away starter plants and shared knowledge through educational cards. These events were a practice in hoʻokipa (hospitality), as haumāna welcomed the school community, generously shared their efforts, and built stronger pilina (relationships) with peers and staff.
The Guardians of the Garden program nurtures a deeper connection between haumāna and their environment, reinforcing Hawaiian values such as mālama ʻāina, kuleana, and aloha ʻāina. Through collaborative gardening, hands-on culinary experiences, and joyful sharing with the wider community, students cultivate not only the land—but also empathy, creativity, and cultural pride. These experiences strengthen their sense of belonging, environmental stewardship, and the importance of caring for ʻāina as ʻohana.
