Ōhāhā High School AgriCULTURE Program
Where ‘āina and kānaka flourish together
Next session is March 19–23, 2024 in Honoka‘a
The Kohala Center’s Ōhāhā High School AgriCULTURE Program helps high school students deepen kinship with ‘āina and local agriculture through ‘ike that will also help them flourish in life.
About the Program
Upcoming Sessions
Program Schedule (subject to change)
How to Apply
About the Program
The Kohala Center’s Ōhāhā intersession programs help high school students deepen kinship with ‘āina and local agriculture through ‘ike that will also help them flourish in life.
In our five-day program, participants will have opportunities to:
Solidify foundations of Hawaiian identity
- Explore ‘ike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge) through ʻike kuʻuna (ancestral traditions) as mahi ʻai (farmers)
- Learn moʻolelo (oral histories)
- Learn about lāʻau lapaʻau (medicinal plants)
- Learn and engage with a broad range of Hawaiian cultural practices and use of Hawaiian language
- Kūkākūkā (discussions) about fulfilling kuleana to ʻāina (that which sustains us), ʻohana (family), and lāhui (community)
- Hana (work) with Hāloanakalaukapalili (taro) and other mea kanu Hawaiʻi (native plants)
Deepen kinship with ‘āina and Hawaiian wisdom
- Kaulana mahina (moon calendar) and kilo (environmental observation)
- Importance of protocol, oli (chants), ʻai pono (Hawaiian foods), and laulima (cooperation, working together)
- Service learning with aloha ʻāina groups
Learn about sustainable agricultural practices
- Hands-on composting activity
- Vermicomposting and mulching practices
- Bridging ʻike kūpuna with Western science and technology
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a gift card valued at up to $125! Participants must attend and complete all five days to receive the maximum amount.
| Nana ‘Olepau Tuesday, March 19 | Nana Huna Wednesday, March 20 | Nana Mōhalu Thursday, March 21 | Nana Hua Friday, March 22 | Nana Akua Saturday, March 23 |
| Focus: Kilo (environmental observation) and Kaulana Mahina (Hawaiian moon calendar)
Learn pule and oli Discussion: food systems, food security, food justice, cover crops, intercropping, Kilo activity Mālama kō (sugar cane) | Focus: Hāloa, Seeds
Moʻokūʻauhau of Hāloa, kūpuna varieties, cultivation methods Kalo harvesting and huli preparation process Intro to seed-saving | NOTE: This day takes place at Niuli‘i in North Kohala
Focus: Hala Mo‘olelo Ohiohikupua Kilo hala and hana lauhala | Focus: Lā‘au lapa‘au (medicinal plants)
Lāʻau gathering protocols, seven laws of healing, best practices for gathering Who are the plant medicines that grow around us? Farm activity: Gather and prepare our lāʻau Prepare recipes for lāʻau tastings | Focus: ‘Awa
Ohi ʻawa varieties and load into truck Travel to Kānaka Kava (about 4 miles from Nāmoku) Clean, prepare ʻawa root and pū ʻAha ʻAwa: Intro to ʻawa ceremony Graduation and program evaluation |
How to Apply
Applications are now open and available online! Submit completed applications no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
For more information, please contact Ka‘iana Runnels at krunnels@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411.
The Spring 2024 session of our Ōhāhā High School AgriCULTURE Program is made possible with support from Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu.