School: Mākaha Elementary School
Grade Level: Grades 3-6
Teacher: Melissa Forrest, Raelyn Cambra, Azure Ching, and Thelma Medeiros
Driving Question: How can the Kanaka Maoli perpetuate the Makahiki season?
What did the students DO?
Our partnership with Hoa ʻĀina o Mākaha continues to uplift and inspire our haumāna through a meaningful blend of hands-on learning, cultural practice, and deep-rooted aloha ʻāina. Under the guidance of kumu and community mentors, students are immersed in the life cycle of plants, the preparation of nourishing foods, and the joy of traditional Hawaiian play. These weekly experiences help instill kuleana (responsibility), pilina (connection), and mālama (care) for the land, each other, and their learning.
- Agricultural Learning Through Mālama ʻĀina: Students spend time in the māla learning how to mālama kalo—from preparing the soil and planting huli to observing its growth and harvesting. In addition to working with kalo, they’ve harvested lemons, limes, and eggplant, and learned how to identify different native and canoe plants. These lessons deepen their understanding of sustainability and the vital relationship between kanaka and ʻāina.
- Farm-to-Table Juicing & Culinary Creations: Using ingredients they harvested, haumāna made fresh lemonade using a hand juicer and learned about natural sweeteners and balance in flavor. They explored dishes such as li hing mango (made from scratch) and eggplant parmesan, where each step—from washing and chopping to cooking and serving—was done with intention and teamwork. Their recipes, along with reflections and photos, will be included in a culminating project: “Cook With Me From the Farm,” a student-authored recipe book.
- Reviving and Recreating Traditional Hawaiian Games: After playing kōnane and other lāʻau-based games during a garden huakaʻi, students became excited to learn more about traditional forms of play. They discussed how these games sharpen focus, patience, and problem-solving. Motivated to share with their families, they’ve started gathering materials and learning how to make their own versions of kōnane boards and game pieces, embracing the spirit of hana noʻeau and ʻike kūpuna.
- Cultural Exploration and Expression: Each session integrates moʻolelo (storytelling) and Hawaiian values, helping students see how food, farming, and games connect to their identity. Through these experiences, students also build vocabulary in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, such as words for tools (mea hana), plants (lāʻau), and values like lokahi (unity) and laulima (many hands working together).
- Community Connection and Future Sharing: The program is designed with sharing in mind. Whether it’s through cooking with ʻohana at home, gifting a handmade game board, or presenting their learning at Hoʻike, haumāna are constantly preparing to give back to the community. Their excitement to teach what they’ve learned is a reflection of the deep aloha they have developed for their kuleana as learners and leaders.
This multifaceted program that our friends at Hoa ʻĀina o Mākaha has helped to enrich each experience for our PALS students. It has transformed weekly learning into an immersive cultural experience where students grow in knowledge, confidence, and aloha. By engaging in mālama ʻāina practices, cooking nutritious meals, and recreating cultural games, students not only gain practical skills but also deepen their identity and purpose. The culminating recipe book and game projects serve as powerful symbols of their growth—blending tradition, creativity, and community. Through this initiative, haumāna are becoming stewards of their culture and carriers of knowledge, empowered to lead with aloha, share generously, and continue the practices of our kūpuna with pride.
