Hui Aloha `Āina is the name of Kula Ha`aha`a’s new garden club for third through fifth graders. The purpose of the club is to give students a “hands-in-the-dirt” experience with growing vegetables in the hopes of developing a relationship between the students and the `āina that will eventually translate into reverance for the land.
The māla that is being used is located outside of the science and Hawaiian studies classrooms. Due to the small size of the māla, Hui Aloha `Āina can only accommodate 10 students at this time. We had many applicants for the club, however, only the first 10 were invited. The remaining students are being kept on a wait list in case a spot opens up or we are able to expand. Students work in the māla with Mr. Kudo on Tuesdays and Thursdays during their recess.
The club’s first order of business is to transform the currently weed-filled soil into soil that can support a vegetable garden. Once the area is cleared, students will prepare the soil and begin to sow the seeds of various vegetable plants. They will maintain the garden which will mean a lot of weeding and watering, while waiting for the vegetables to grow. The final and most fun step will be the harvesting, yum!
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