HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0952.020 2006-2008
Cynthia Punihaole Kennedy
73-4310 Mamalahoa Hwy
Kailua Kona, HI 96740
Ph: 808-895-1010 E-mail: cpunihaole@hawaiiantel.net
February 6, 2008
Councilman Angel Pilago
Hawaii County Council
333 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
Resolution 506-08 The School Garden Network Project.
Aloha Chairperson and Members of the Hawaii County Council
I am here to testify in support of Resolution 506-08 the School Garden Network. Mahalo to
Councilman Angel Pilago for pledging $5,000.00 toward this project. This is a project that
will touch a minimum of 20 schools on the Island of Hawaii and support the development
of on site gardens, curriculum, resources and further education of teachers. It is a project
that will help many communities on our island and teach sustainability and survival to our
children. In the summer of 2003, I was fortunate to be hired at Kealakehe High School to
help enhance and create a Natural/Cultural Learning Resource Center with the help of my
dad Robert Punihaole, my Uncle Kino Kahananui, Joel Nathanson, Sue Aronson, Manuel
Jadulang, and Owen Yamaguchi. In August, we were able to welcome the students to a
center that was prepared to handle animal husbandry, hydroponics, aquaculture, and
agriculture. Our goal was to build this center with an ahupua' a foundation. This
"classroom without walls" model showed us that students enjoyed working in the outdoors
learning science, math, Hawaiian culture and how to share and work with each other. Our
science and Ag teachers Joel Nathasen and Manuel Jadulang were able to bring the
instruction books to life in our Center. Many of our students had difficulty understanding
from books, but they were able to think and use their hands and create something special in
the center. For example one of my students decided his project would be a "plant pallet".
He created a very beautiful pallet with plants the flourished in the area. He also knew how to
sell his vision to other students who helped him complete his project on a very large area.
Another student evaluated the popolo berry's productivity by growing it hydroponically
versus in the soil.
One day the students were pulling what they believed to be weeds and as I passed them I
explained that this plant called 'uhaloa could one day relieve their sore throats. The next
thing I noticed was that they were watering the plant.
At the end of our school year, we had a big pa'ina. We invited moms and dads, some heads
of the community, newspaper editors, etc. We had to substitute the pig for another one
because the students could not kill the one they raised. Some of the boys slaughtered the pig
and was taught how to make an imu cook the pig and strip the cooked pig. Taro was pulled
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and cleaned to make poi, fish was caught and cleaned then fried. Hydroponic tomatoes and
lettuce were harvested for salad. Everyone helped. Before our pa' ina started, each student
was able to do a PowerPoint presentation on their project. Comments for the students were
very positive. They had learned how much work it took to maintain the center and they now
appreciate the things they buy in the store.
As one of the Kona Young Farmers, I helped prepare the garden beds for Jessica
Yamasawa's Kahakai Elementary School. Each class is responsible for a bed. Year before
last the students planted basil. They had so much basil that they decided to harvest and the
crop and have the cafeteria ladies make pesto. The pesto was mixed with pasta and the
students took the pasta to Mokuaikaua Church and fed the homeless.
This kind of project is more than just learning math, science and growing vegetables and
fruits for sustainability, it is sharing with the community, taking care of each other, building
self-esteem, confidence, responsibility, common sense and WE will be satisfied to know that
20, 30, 50 years from now our children will be able to survive off the land.
Thank you. e&K4, /6(Z' C' 4'4'a