Big Promise of Little Things Change Comes From Everyone
A HANDS-ON COURSE IN SELF RELIANCE In days of old, Makaweli Valley was a breadbasket for Kaua’i, producing enough taro to feed thousands. Today, a handful of aging farmers still work the lo‘i kalo (wetland taro patches), but as they pass away, so goes their knowledge of Native Hawaiian agriculture.
“It’s important the kids know how to plant, how to make their own food. It is rewarding and empowering when you can feed yourself, feed your family.”
Kaina Makua rebukes such inevitability. With the increasing need for food security in -Kaina Makua Hawai’i, plus the Program Director of community’s desire Kumano I Ke Ala for sustainability, he sees a critical need and a terrific opportunity to restore the valley to its agricultural roots. Five years ago, he created the nonprofit Kumano I Ke Ala and has spearheaded restoration efforts ever since.
The former educator has even partnered with Waimea High School and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, using Makaweli farmers to teach students and young adults farming techniques — and grow self-directed, critical thinkers for a more sustainable Kaua‘i. “Hawaiians survived on taro for generations. It’s important that kids know how to plant, and make their own food,” says Kaina. “If a day comes when Kaua’i can’t import food, they’re prepared to work the ‘aina. If that day never comes, they can plant as a lifestyle. It is rewarding and empowering when you can feed yourself, and feed your family. That’s true sustenance.” “With support from a Community Restoration Partnership grant and donor advised funds from Hawai’i
and sustainability, farming and independence — that’s the big promise of little things.
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Community Foundation, we can buy tools for volunteers, get the word out, teach more students,” he adds. “The work is fun and gets done quicker. We brought out 650 volunteers who removed 25,000 buckets of silt by hand.” Building bridges between young and old, food security
The Community Restoration Partnership supports on-theground lower watershed and coastal restoration projects in Hawai‘i. The projects are informed by data and science, reinforce traditional cultural values of Hawai‘i, involve local community groups, and encourage science-based monitoring to track the impact of over time.
To learn how you can transform your generosity into lasting change, visit: HawaiiCommunityFoundation.org