School: Nānāikapono Elementary School
Grade Level: Grades 3-6
Teacher: Wendy Gumm and Luania Sula
Driving Question: How do we, as Guardians of the Garden, nurture and sustain plants in the Nanakuli Valley?
What did the students DO?
The Guardians of the Garden are a small but mighty group of haumāna (students) who dedicate themselves to nurturing and sustaining the school garden in Nānākuli Valley. Under the guidance of Kumu Wendy Gumm, they’ve turned even the hardest tasks—like weeding and raking—into enjoyable activities. Through planting, harvesting, recycling, and sharing their bounty, they are bringing both beauty and abundance to their school community.
- Hands-on Garden Work: The haumāna have been busy weeding, preparing new garden beds, planting starters, and harvesting vegetables such as tomatoes and broccoli leaves. Their dedication is helping the garden flourish.
- Creative Additions: The group began painting river rocks for a new rock garden, adding color and personality to their space.
- Recycling and Sustainability: Using a cardboard shredder donated by 808 Scrappahz Union from Nānākuli High & Intermediate School, the haumāna recycle corrugated cardboard from around campus. The shredded material is used as garden bedding, supporting a closed-loop sustainability practice.
- From Garden to Table: The group made salsa from freshly harvested vegetables, created a refreshing cucumber, mint, and lemon drink for the Keiki On The Run – FUN Run, and bagged broccoli leaves to share with teachers.
- Community Engagement: They hosted Makeke Market on campus, inviting other PALS groups and ʻohana (family) to participate. They also gave away plants as makana (gifts) and provided shredded potters and bagged veggies to the school community.
- Cultural Learning: Uncle Vince visited to share moʻolelo (stories) and guide the students in making ʻāina bars, deepening their cultural connection to the land and food.
The Guardians of the Garden embody the Hawaiian values of mālama ʻāina (care for the land), kōkua (help), and laulima (cooperation) through their daily actions. Their efforts not only sustain the garden’s growth but also build a stronger, healthier, and more connected school community. By combining cultural learning, sustainability practices, and generosity, these haumāna are creating a legacy of abundance and care in Nānākuli Valley.
