How do you make an outdoor classroom?  We did it by purchasing a bunch of hay bales, putting them in a circle and adding a few  old doors painted with chalkboard paint! It has worked great for students and adults who visit the garden.  But our hay bales need refurbishing and we could use a… [Continue Reading]

If you think after planting, your money spent on a garden is done, you’ll learn quickly.   Last year at Kihei Elementary we spent about $1500 on “garden maintenance supplies”.  This is pest deterrents, organic amendments, fungii treatments, cover crop seeds, build compost piles, and a long list of things to fix problems! Estimated Cost $1500/school/year

Whether it is student-sized hand tools, wheelbarrows, hoes, and pitchforks, the need for tools in the garden is never ending.  Tools break and disappear (despite locked storage) and last year we spent about $400 in tools just for Kihei Elementary. Estimated Cost $400/school/year

We’ve had generous support for our major irrigation needs from ISI!  However, irrigation is a constant issue and we need both irrigation experts and continuous irrigation supplies!  Last year we spent about $750 on irrigation supplies at Kihei Elementary.  Without water, not too much grows in our garden! Estimated Cost $750

Do you or your company have a spare shipping container sitting around?   We could use it for a Community Tool Library and Equipment Storage. In-kind donations please.   Contact us.

Help us finish the restoration of the Hawaiian Studies lo’i at Lokelani Intermediate that need soil and amendments. This area is used for cultural plant propagation and education. Estimated Cost $680

“Project Plant It” is a program where students plant and take care of seedlings until they are ready for new homes.  We send starts home with parents, volunteers and community members.  We ask for donations, but not required.  It really teaches kids both the process, daily care and economics of growing food.   Materials purchased include… [Continue Reading]

The most requested item by teachers is “More Shade”.  We’ve explored lots of ideas for more permanent shade structures but have hit wall due to DOE rules.  So we utilize temporary shade canopies during our events and outreach programs.   We’re still looking for more permanent solutions too so share your ideas below! Have: 2   Need:… [Continue Reading]

Our garden coordinators are a part time position but are available in the garden on most school days.  They are the ones that really make this program sustainable! They work with the teachers to tune outdoor classroom time, coordinate planting and harvest events, and direct volunteer and garden maintenance personnel. Last year our Garden Coordinator… [Continue Reading]

We have found that if the students help prepare the food, they will eat it.   Student Chef Kits have materials for one class to share and include measuring cups and spoons, harvest and mixing bowls, student knives (plastic but they can cut a carrot!), foods scale, salad spinner, wisks, spatulas, peelers, juicers and cutting mats…. [Continue Reading]