Better Together: Kōkua Hawai’i Foundation Honors Its Volunteers

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In April, Kōkua Hawai’i Foundation staff honored the KHF extended ‘ohana with a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic under the shade of the monkey pod trees of Waimea Valley’s upper meadow. To start the day, families gardened together in Waimea Valley’s Children’s Garden. Lunch was locally sourced and included ‘ulu (breadfruit) and turkey burgers prepared by Hale Kealoha and dessert donated by Whole Foods Market. Many volunteers helped make this a zero waste event by bringing their own plates and utensils! After lunch, keiki danced in the meadow to the melodies of KHF board members Jack Johnson and Kawika Kahiapo, and KHF staff and Executive Director Kim Johnson expressed their appreciation for volunteer contributions to all of Kōkua’s programs.

Click here to see more photos of KHF volunteers in action.

‘AINA In Schools & O’ahu Master Gardeners Offer School Garden Training

Kōkua Hawai’i Foundation’s ‘AINA In Schools program has teamed up with the O’ahu Master Gardeners to provide a series of workshops for educators and volunteers on the basics of growing school gardens. The six workshop modules will cover a School Gardens Overview, Basic Botany, Soils (including composting), Ecology, Insects and Diseases, and Veggies, Fruits and Herbs. Stay tuned for more information on the workshops, taking place July through October at the Pearl City Urban Garden Center! For specific inquiries, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Got a plant question? Contact the O’ahu Master Gardener Helpline, 453-6055 (Monday through Friday 9am to noon) or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Join Us! ‘AINA In Schools Building Docent Teams for 2011-2012 School Year!

Kōkua Hawai’i Foundation is building our ‘AINA In Schools docent teams at each of the ‘AINA schools for the 2011-2012 school year. We are recruiting parent and community docents to teach monthly nutrition lessons for grades 2 & 6, and monthly garden lessons for Grades K, 1, and 5. No experience is necessary and times are flexible! Join us in educating the next generation about how to make healthy food choices and how to grow their own food at schools all over O’ahu.

If interested contact Kelly Perry, Volunteer Coordinator, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Wearable Art and Big Hearts: Punahou Students Donate to KHF in Support of School Gardens

After assisting with one of the ‘AINA IS garden lessons at ‘Aikahi Elementary School this spring, Punahou sophomore students Emily Hamocon and Malia Smith were inspired to do more in support of school gardens. Through donations received in exchange for their very own hand-made jewelry, Emily and Malia together raised over $700, which they generously presented to the Kōkua Hawai’i Foundation on May 21 at the ‘Aikahi Elementary School ‘AINA IS Garden Party. A huge mahalo goes out to these generous and entrepreneurial artisans and each of their supporters! Thanks also to the Punahou School Luke Center for Public Service for making the connection and inspiring the giving spirit.

Green Summers Camps for Kids!

Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea invites keiki to Sea Camp! Sea Campers, ages 8-10, will learn marine biology and conservation from a scientific and cultural perspective at the activity-filled, entertaininng and educational day camp. More info/registration at www.pupukeawaimea.org or call (808) 551-6712.

Mālama Learning Center partners with Hawaiʻi Nature Center for a week-long day camp for middle school students on climate change. Contact Hawaiʻi Nature Center at 808-955-0100 for more information.

On Hawai’i Island? Don’t miss the Green Power Heroes Clean Energy Adventure Camp. This fun and exciting day camp for 9-13 year-olds hosted at the Gateway Center at the Natural Energy Lab in Kona, Hawai’i. More info/registration at www.greenpowerheroes.com.

Hawai’i Conservation Conference

In its 19th year, the Hawai’i Conservation Conference (HCC) is the largest gathering of people actively involved in the protection and management of Hawai’i's natural environment. This year’s conference theme Island Ecosystems: Year of the Forest aligns with the United Nation’s International Year of the Forests and will feature symposia, forums and workshops.

Register now for this August 2 - 4 event at the Hawai’i Convention Center.

2nd Annual Green Schools National Conference

The Green Schools National Network presents the 2nd Annual Green Schools National Conference February 27 - 29, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. Whether you are already implementing green and healthy practices or you are just getting started, there will be breakout sessions, exhibitors and networking opportunities for individuals from traditional public, public charter and private schools. Deadline for submission of presentation proposals is July 8, 2011. Early, early bird registration is now open. Go to Green Schools National Conference for more information.