Hui Malama students learn by planting

Students from Hui Malama Learning Center’s Hawaiian Outdoor Education Program celebrated Earth Day last month by planting several indigenous Hawaiian plants around a new environmental and cultural education center at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Thirteen students and four instructors from Hui Malama met up with Iokepa Nae‘ole, director of environmental programs at the resort, to plant akia, awa, ulei, hapuu and ukiuki. “We are fortunate to have this opportunity to teach our local children about the history of important native plant species,” said Nae‘ole. “The experience of reintroducing native plants in the area will stay with them forever.” In the photo, Dan Cohen (right), a kumu kokua with Nae‘ole, shows Kupono Hueu the proper way to plant.

Hui Malama Learning Center / ALLI WATERS photo