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Schools in the Spotlight
The Mala‘ai Culinary Garden at the Waimea Middle School

Our community-initiated and supported Mala‘ai school garden – now in its 8th year – grows more beautiful and meaningful each day. Our 3/4 acre organic garden is cradled between Mauna Kea and the Pu‘u of Waimea and carved from former Parker Ranch pasture land. More than 2,000 students, teachers, staff, family members and community friends have helped create this hands-on partnership. In our garden we support student learning by integrating core curriculum – math, science, language arts, social studies and health – as well as cultural learning and healthy life skills into our student’s academic schedule. Pa‘ahana (hard industrious work) and Ma ka hana ka ike (by doing one learns) are two of our guiding principals in garden class.

Volunteers assist with classes in the garden and help with many ongoing garden projects. They greatly enrich the experience of students, and are an integral part of the adult community in the garden.