E ‘Ike Hou īa Lāna‘i celebrates culinary traditions

July 2024 – The Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center’s two-week cultural immersion program was a great success this year. As the center’s longest-standing educational program, it continues to provide students with a deep understanding of the island’s rich culture, history, and traditions. Designed for students in 6th grade and above, this year’s program placed a special focus on sustainable practices alongside the culinary and cultural traditions of native Hawaiians.

Throughout the program, students actively engaged in hands-on, skills-based learning activities that emphasized the close relationship between life and the land. For example, they planted and sowed seeds to begin their own home gardens, thereby gaining firsthand knowledge of growing food sustainably. In addition, students took part in the respectful slaughter of deer that had overpopulated the landscape, learning important lessons about responsible wildlife management and conservation.

Moreover, participants explored traditional Hawaiian fishing methods that promote sustainability, helping to ensure the preservation of natural resources for future generations. One of the highlights of the program was learning how to prepare and cook food in an imu — a traditional Hawaiian underground oven. Using locally sourced ingredients, including venison from the deer they helped manage, students experienced Pā ‘ina, a community feast, during an evening gathering that celebrated culture, food, and connection. Watch the video here.

Finally, the Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center’s summer program, E ʻIke Hou iā Lāna‘i, opens enrollment every year and warmly welcomes children not only from the island but also from across Hawai‘i. Overall, this unique opportunity inspires young people to appreciate and preserve Hawaiian culture and the environment through meaningful, experiential learning.

Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center’s two-week cultural immersion program was a success. The center’s longest standing program taught students about the island’s rich culture and history.