Aloha ʻĀina: Lāna‘i Keiki Grow, Learn, and Thrive

June 2024 – During the Spring 2024 semester, nearly 100 Lāna‘i elementary students from Kindergarten through 5th grade participated in on-campus aloha ʻāina workshops hosted by the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center (LCHC). These hands-on experiences focused on gardening and plant propagation.

Students learned about various potting media, how to clean and sow seeds, pot up delicate seedlings, and propagate plants like ʻuala (sweet potato) from cuttings. These sessions also included follow-ups in individual classrooms.

Learning About Native and Introduced Species

Through the workshops, students became familiar with plant species found in Hawaiʻi. They learned to distinguish between native and non-native species, invasive and non-invasive plants, and those introduced by Polynesians.

In addition to ʻuala, the students grew native plants such as ʻilima, ʻākulikuli, and ʻaʻaliʻi. They also cultivated a variety of non-native, non-invasive herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Some seedlings were planted in garden beds outside classrooms, while others were taken home to grow in backyards.

Several native plants grown by the students will be outplanted at cultural sites like Hiʻi Agricultural Heiau and Kānepuʻu Preserve. Many plants were also shared with the community at the Kupulau Festival on April 27.

Connecting Plants with Cultural Roots

Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center programs are rooted in aloha ʻāina values. While ʻāina is often translated as "land," it more directly means "that which feeds." Combined with aloha—love, respect, care—aloha ʻāina teaches us to cherish and sustain the land that nourishes us.

By growing food locally, we rely less on imported goods and help reduce our carbon footprint. Propagating Polynesian-introduced plants also helps preserve Lāna‘i’s agricultural history and maintain culturally significant flora.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Students embraced the growing process—getting their hands dirty, observing changes, and watching their plants thrive. As one teacher shared, the keiki “are natural gardeners.”

The workshops not only taught technical skills but also encouraged students to kilo (observe) and connect with the land. These efforts aim to nurture the next generation of gardeners, farmers, and stewards of the ʻāina.

During the Spring 2024 semester, almost 100 Lāna‘i elementary students ranging from Kindergarten through 5th grade participated in on-campus aloha ʻāina workshops focusing on plant propagation and gardening hosted by Lāna‘i CHC.