Category: Volunteers

Share information and tips for using and keeping volunteers in the garden.

Visiting Volunteers help move some soil.

Volunteers Get it Done!

Malia Bohlin 1 Comment

Hundreds of Helpers

We’re thankful for the hundreds of volunteers that support our organization each year. Some come from thousands of miles away and dedicate part of their vacation to helping our community; others live just around the corner and volunteer every month.

Volunteer Highlights from 2016

From painting signs to pulling weeds to assembling planting beds, our volunteers are always willing to help in every way needed. Here are some highlights from 2016.

Pulling weeds in the kalo patch is part of the fun at Kihei Elementary School.
Pulling weeds in the kalo patch is part of the fun at Kihei Elementary School.
Visiting Volunteers make soil sifters.
Visiting Volunteers make soil sifters.
Volunteers at Kihei Charter School move tubes of irrigation line.
Volunteers at Kihei Charter School move tubes of irrigation line.
Volunteers at Kahului Elementary School prepare the soil for planting.
Volunteers at Kahului Elementary School prepare the soil for planting.
Connie ties string around the ipu to prepare it for hanging.
Volunteer Connie ties string around the ipu to prepare it for hanging.
Two student volunteers hang ipu to dry.
Two student volunteers hang ipu to dry.
Visiting Volunteers help move some soil.
Volunteers on Vacation help move some soil at Lokelani Intermediate School.
Prepping veggies for a Harvest Party at Kamali'i Elementary School.
Prepping veggies for a Harvest Party at Kamali’i Elementary School.
Volunteers put the framework in place for new growing beds at Kahului Elementary School.
Volunteers put the framework in place for growing beds at Kahului Elementary School.
Keiki volunteers add soil amendments at Kahului Elementary School.
Keiki volunteers add soil amendments at Kahului Elementary School.
Look what I found while fulling weeds!
Look what I found while pulling weeds!
Volunteer@GrowSomeGood.org
Putting in pretty new raised beds at Pu’u Kukui Elementary School.
Pretty New Growing beds in place at Pu'u Kukui Elementary School.
Pu’u Kukui Elementary School garden looks amazing after a recent Work & Learn Day!
Two of our favorite volunteers - Executive Director Kathy Becklin and Garden Coordinator Nadine Rasmussen.
Two of our favorite volunteers – Executive Director Kathy Becklin (R) and Kihei School Garden Coordinator Nadine Rasmussen (L) help out at Lokelani Intermediate School.

A very special mahalo to all of our wonderful volunteers!

If you are interested in volunteering with Grow Some Good, contact us at Volunteer@GrowSomeGood.org for more information.

Work & Learn Days – 2nd Saturdays & 3rd Thursdays + Lokelani May 4

Kirk Surry

Mark your calendars for April/May Work & Learn Days!

  • “Second Saturday”

Saturday, April 13

8:30 a.m. – Noon

Where:

Kihei Elementary School

250 E Lipoa St  Kihei, HI 96753

  • “Third Thursday”

Thursday, April 18

2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Garden care

Where:

Kihei Elementary School

250 E Lipoa St  Kihei, HI 96753

  • Lokelani Ohana All Campus Work & Learn Day – May 4

Saturday, May 4

8 a.m. – Noon

Join Lokelani teachers, students and volunteers for an all campus Work & Learn Day. We’ll be refurbishing garden beds and planting in new garden areas, including the new Hawaiian terrace project in the heart of campus.

Where: 

Lokelani Intermediate School

1401 Liloa Drive

Kihei, HI 96753

  • “Second Saturday” – May

Saturday, May 11

8:30 a.m. – Noon

Noon – 1 p.m.  Bokashi Workshop with Maui Bokashi‘s Jenna Leilani Tallman.

Learn to easily transform food scraps into rich compost with effective microorganisms & Bokashi.

Where:

Kihei Elementary School

250 E Lipoa St  Kihei, HI 96753

 

Join us every “Second Saturday” morning and “Third Thursday” afternoon at Kihei Elementary School Garden as we plant new garden starts from seed, build bamboo trellises and vertical gardens, harvest heirloom produce, prep soil for replanting, turn compost, weed & mulch pathways, paint garden signs and more.


Share the Harvest & Starts
Come for gardening care, inspirations and share in the bounty.  Organic and heirloom garden plant starts available to help get your own back yard gardens started.

Ask the Gardeners
Grow Some Good volunteers and certified Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about bugs, plant disease issues and tips on growing an organic garden in Kihei.

Our garden care days are always a lot of fun and a great way to learn about organic gardening from people in the neighborhood. Join us for all or part of the day. Water and light refreshments will be provided.

If you have questions in advance, please email info@GrowSomeGood.org, call 808.269.6300 or visit our Volunteer Page. See you there!

Outrigger Pizza Teaches Kids Art and Science of Pizza Dough

Kirk Surry 1 Comment

The Outrigger Pizza Company is a favorite lunch spot in Kihei, Maui (Azeka Shopping Center Mauka parking lot), so we were thrilled when co-founder and president Eric Mitchell agreed to spend three full days working with Wailea chefs preparing pizzas in his mobile wood burning oven. More than 800 K-5 grade students at Kihei Elementary School co-created pizza recipes including marinara, pesto or herb infused olive oil, topped with fresh garden greens and herbs, red creole onion, carrots, tomato, broccoli and zucchini – all veggies that are grown in the school garden.

Chef Eric brought an artisan kiawe wood burning clay oven on wheels, made all the dough for the entire event, made extra  pizzas for delivery to classes who couldn’t attend and kept the oven stoked for a special after school party for YMCA A+ students.  While the kids watched him flip dough in the air, he explained the science behind yeast and how beneficial bacteria burp when eating flour to make tiny air pockets in the crust. “Ewww!!!” a few screeched, then Eric explained the benefits of good bacteria to keep digestion healthy. Inspired by their discovery, kids artfully spread the sauce in circles, arranged herbs and sprinkled with cheese, then patiently waited – only 90 seconds before pizzas emerged from the kiawe oven piping hot. They talked story and called out their slices and took in the aroma while waiting a few more moments to cool. Students devoured, studied and savored the garden pies while talking about their favorite ingredients…and their next recipe adventure!

Mahalo nui loa to Eric, all the chefs and volunteers for inspiring our keiki to grow, harvest, prepare and eat their own amazing vegetables.

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Chef Jana’s Localicious Recipes!

Kirk Surry Leave a comment

chef jana mcmahon and suzanne cleveland carlsonWhat a great day of connecting with a group of educators and volunteers sharing outdoor learning ideas and touring South / Central Maui school gardens – organized by Anne Gachuhi of Home Gardening Support Network and Lehn Huff, Maui School Garden Network.

The Feb. 4 tour featured four schools  – Kihei Elementary School, Lokelani Intermediate school, Kihei Charter School and Maui Hui Malama Learning Center.

Mahalo nui to Anne, Lehn, volunteers and other visitors for making this an awesome day. Special appreciation to Private Chef and Slow Food Maui member Jana McMahon and Suzanne Cleveland Carlson for preparing a beautiful, localicious lunch. We all cleaned our plates and asked for recipes. So.. Here you go!  Mahalo Chef Jana for sharing!

The school garden movement on Maui is growing strong with so many schools now incorporating outdoor learning into curricula. This is wonderful news to all of us who would like to see keiki learn about food, nature and the environment at an earlier age. Curious about all the good things growing in our schools?  Visit a school garden in your neighborhood and dig in!

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Read More

What’s Growing On?

Kirk Surry Leave a comment

New life is sprouting up everywhere you look at Kihei Elementary School Garden. Over the past few weeks, more than 750 students and teachers planted cultural and nutrition themed gardens, pounded poi and launched scientific investigations, translating curriculum into real life outdoor learning experiences.

What’s growing on in the Food Jungle?
> Kalo (taro) & ‘Olena (turmeric) Patch – more than 140 new plants!
> Gardens of the World: Asia – including okra, squash, bok choy, lemon grass, winged beans, long beans, eggplant, bitter melon and soybeans.
> Gardens of the World: Latin America – Salsa Garden with all the ingredients to make the world’s best salsa!
> Green Bean Teepee Tunnel – Pick green beans from the sky in an edible teepee tunnel with several varieties of organic and heirloom green beans.
> Sweet Potato Mounds – 2nd grade project planting several varieties in two new sweet potato mounds.
> Carrot Patch – planted with short & sweet and red dragon varieties of carrots.
> Salad Bowl & Green Smoothie Gardens – a mix of delicious mesculin greens, kale and chard for salads and green smoothies!
> Pizza Garden – back by popular demand with all the ingredients to make veggie pizzas, this year’s Pizza Garden shaped like a peace sign.

… and more to come!

Work & Learn This Saturday

Kirk Surry Leave a comment
When:
Saturday, Dec. 10
8 a.m. to 11 a.m.Where:
Kihei Elementery School
250 E Lipoa St  Kihei, HI 96753

This weekend’s Garden Care Day will focus on building a new herb spiral garden, stringing jute runners for the green bean teepee tunnel, making directional signs, garden visioning, weeding, and basic garden maintenance.

Free Starts!
Volunteers this Saturday will learn about heirloom and organic plant varieties that grow well in South Maui this time of year and receive free plant starts and/or seeds to start their own herb gardens at home.

Our garden care days are always a lot of fun and a great way to learn about organic gardening from people in the neighborhood. Join us for all or part of the day. Water and light refreshments will be provided.

Calling All Volunteers: Come Grow With Us!

Kirk Surry 1 Comment

Planting season is in full swing at Kihei Elementary School Garden. This week, more than 200 students replanted kalo (taro), ‘olena (turmeric), learned pa’i’ai (pounding poi) and Native American “Three Sisters” companion planting traditions.

What else is growing on?
> Gardens of the World (East Asia, Latin America, Mediterranean & more!)
> Green Bean Teepee Tunnels
> Sweet Potato Mounds
> Carrots & Beets Patch
> Salad Bowl Garden
> Pizza Garden

… and we’re just getting started.

Planting is happening every day for the next few weeks until Winter Recess begins (Dec. 19 – Jan. 2).  We need volunteers to help us make this a fun, learning experience for everyone. No gardening experience necessary. Learn as you volunteer!

Volunteer Hours:
Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
NOTE: All volunteers must register at the school office upon arrival

Where:
Kihei Elementery School
250 E Lipoa St  Kihei, HI 96753

If you’d like to get involved, please email info@KiheiSchoolGardens.org or call 808.269.6300. Please indicate day(s) / time(s) available during weekdays. We’ll match you with a class that fits your schedule and fills your heart!

Mahalo for your kokua!

Kalo Harvest for Makahiki Season

Kirk Surry Leave a comment

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In celebration of the opening of Makahiki season this month, students from Mr. Little’s fourth grade class harvested the remaining taro (called kalo in Hawaiian). The kalo patch was planted and cultivated by last year’s fourth graders with the help of local kalo farmer Hōkūao Pellegrino. During the harvest, students learned the traditional mo’olelo (story) of Haloa (the “root of life”) and the connection of Hawaiians to this revered food staple, the earth and to all living things. After harvesting the kalo, students learned how to prepare the huli (the leaves were removed and the corm cut from the huli – the top portion of the corm) for planting while volunteers assisted students as they worked to lomi (prepare by massaging & loosening) the soil for the new huli.

By the end of the day, more than 60 new kalo plants were carefully planted by students and volunteers. Students also harvested more than 10 lbs. of ‘olena (turmeric root) which were planted within the kalo patch. Next up, students will learn how to prepare and serve kalo, by pounding poi. This process is called pa’i’ai in Hawaiian. All of this in preparation for a four month long Makahiki Festival and study of the traditional offerings of gratitude to Lono (Hawaiian god of fertility) for a bountiful harvest and the new crops to come!

Link here to a complete slideshow.

School Garden Care & Learning Days Nov. 12 & 17

Kirk Surry 1 Comment
Good things growing at Kihei Elementary School! Students are replanting taro (kalo), planting starts from seeds saved from last year, experimenting with heirloom varieties, and bringing the school garden into full swing again this year.  Parents are invited to share this experience with students during our garden care and learning days. Special guests include Slow Food Maui and Jane Sperr, author of A Kitchen Garden in Kihei Maui Blog. Help support this wonderful outdoor learning environment.
Upcoming events:
Garden with Slow Food Maui & S. Maui Heirloom Expert Jane Sperr Saturday, Nov. 12!
Saturday, Nov. 12
8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Sponsored by members of Slow Food Maui
(11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) Special guest Jane Sperr, a self-taught back yard gardener & culinary blogger will share her experience with growing heirloom varieties that grow well in South Maui. Don’t miss this special event to contribute toward the garden and learn about organic gardening from your neighbors.
Introducing “Third Thursdays” After School Garden Care Days!
Thursday, Nov. 17
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Join teachers and volunteers during a new series “Third Thursdays” after-school garden care days. Students are invited to participate with parents during these afternoon sessions.

For more information or to subscribe to our school garden newsletter, please email info@KiheiSchoolGardens.org or call 808.269.6300.

Garden Care & Fruit Fly Trap Workshop This Saturday

Kirk Surry Leave a comment

kihei elementary school garden south maui school gardens projectWHEN:
Saturday, October 8
Garden Care: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Workshop: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE:
Kihei Elementary School Garden
250 E. Lipoa Street, Kihei
Center campus adjacent to cafeteria and main office.

Caring for the Garden

Help us create the best garden ever this year at Kihei Elementary School. In the plans: peace pie (pizza) garden, gardens of the world field, expanded Native Hawaiian canoe garden, pollinator gardens, herb spirals, bamboo teepee tunnel of vine plants (beans, cucumber, lilikoi, etc), three sisters garden and more!

No experience necessary in this learning garden. Plenty of garden care projects for the entire family. We’ll be expanding planting areas, building bamboo tee pee tunnels, amending the soil, clearing weeds and old plants, spreading mulch, painting garden signs…

Learn about gardening from your neighbors while working together to inspire keiki to learn from nature. As always, fresh fruit and beverages will be served.
Please bring a hat, sunscreen, gloves, closed toe shoes and a drinking cup.

fruit fly workshop kihei elementary school gardenLearning in the Garden:
Fruit Fly Traps

Urban gardening expert & South Maui School Gardens Project Co-Founder Kathy Becklin will explain why your melons, citrus, tomatoes and zucchini are getting stung and what to do about it. A fruit fly talk followed by a fruit fly trap workshop will take place from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Collect your own empty 2 liter soda bottles and bring them to the event.

We’ll supply the lures specific to fruit flies most common in South Maui. Suggested donation: $5 (DIY with your bottle), $10 (to have one made for you). Proceeds benefit Kihei Elementary School Garden. Email info@KiheiSchoolGardens.org for more information.

See you in the garden!