School: Mākaha Elementary School
Grade Level: Grades 3-6
Teacher: Melissa Forrest and Kelly Ogden
Driving Question: How do we as Malama Makaha practice Hawaiian values to make our community better?
What did the students DO?
The Mālama Mākaha group is deeply rooted in Hawaiian values, dedicating their time to improving their school, community, and ʻāina (land). Through hands-on experiences in the garden, kitchen, and community events, haumāna (students) practice values such as mālama ʻāina (care for the land), laulima (cooperation), lokomaikaʻi (kindness), and kōkua (help). Partnering closely with Hoa ʻĀina o Mākaha, they nurture both the land and relationships while also giving back to the community through service, cooking, and creative projects.
- Mālama ʻĀina (Care for the Land): Students participate in regular campus clean-up days, removing weeds, picking up trash, and maintaining hallways to show pride in their school. They also practice the 3Rs—reduce, reuse, recycle—by using their new cardboard shredder to create upcycled placemats painted with personal designs.
- Laulima (Cooperation): Working together as a team has been essential for building strong pilina (relationships) and supporting one another in all activities. Whether in the garden, kitchen, or during campus projects, students rely on laulima to reach their goals.
- Kōkua (Help): Once a week, the group joins Hoa ʻĀina o Mākaha to kōkua on the farm. Activities include clearing new ground, weeding, planting seeds, and harvesting fresh produce. They also assist at Saturday U-Pick events and prepare dishes like banana lumpia, veggie omelettes, tacos, and fried rice.
- Garden & Kitchen Connections: Weekly farm visits lead directly to cooking lessons where students transform harvested produce into healthy dishes. They also explored science in the kitchen by making ice cream as part of a ziplock bag experiment.
- Lokomaikaʻi (Kindness): Following a tragic incident at their school, the group organized a sign-waving campaign to spread messages of kindness and encouragement. Their signs carried positive affirmations such as “Be Pono (righteous),” “Please Stop Bullying,” “You Are Perfect!,” and “Be Nice to Others.”
- Mural Creation: The group completed a mural on one of the school’s portables, reflecting the Hawaiian values they have learned and lived throughout the year. This art project now serves as a daily visual reminder to the school community of the importance of living these values.
Mālama Mākaha has become a shining example of how Hawaiian values can be lived every day to strengthen both community and environment. By combining mālama ʻāina practices, acts of kindness, teamwork, and creative expression, haumāna are developing a strong sense of kuleana (responsibility) and aloha for their community. Their partnership with Hoa ʻĀina o Mākaha has provided hands-on opportunities that connect cultural values with real-life skills, ensuring that these lessons will guide them far beyond the classroom.
