The first graders have been preparing for a special unit that they will be a part of next year as second graders. This project will be a unit on the Native Hawaiian Rainforests. As an introduction to this project, a special guest, Chris Wong, gave a presentation on the native `ōhi`a lehua tree, one of the main trees that make up a native Hawaiian rainforest.
As a follow-up to Uncle Chris’s presentation, the first graders observed how to plant the `ōhi`a lehua tree. These two trees will represent the first graders and will be part of the project next year. Yesterday, Uncle Chris returned and graciously brought an orange lehua tree for us to plant. So now we will have an orange and a red `ōhi`a tree. Also helping us was Uncle Kaimi who dug the holes and helped install the tree carefully. Kumu Crabbe also shared his mana`o on the tree parts, chanted and provided a pule over the trees, students and the project.
I look forward to continuing this project next year as well as the years to come. Mahalo to Chris Wong, Greg Ho, Kumu Kaleo, Kumu Littrell and Kumu Crabbe for all your support.
