Kumu Mea Kanu brings the garden into the classroom, connecting Maui’s keiki (children) to their food, their community, and the ʻāina (land). This project combines hands-on, garden-based activities with simple online video lessons, giving each student a plant to grow and care for as they learn.

The project began during the pandemic, when school closures shifted learning from the classroom to the home. Kumu Mea Kanu grew out of that need, bringing the garden to students wherever they were. Today, teachers facilitate this free program in their classrooms, guiding students through each lesson.

How It Works

Receive a Free Kit

Each participating classroom gets delivered a kit tailored to their grade level. We offer a 6-week program for grades K–2 and an 8-week program for grades 3–5.

Learn and Grow

Every week, students watch a short video and complete a garden journal activity, tracking their plant’s progress from a tiny seed to a healthy plant start.

Share with the Community

At the end of the program, students keep a few plants and return the rest to Grow Some Good. We share these plants with the community, spreading the harvest and connecting students to their neighbors.

A Kit for Every Classroom

Kumu Mea Kanu is designed for educators from Pre-K through 8th grade. Teachers are recommended to start with the Grow Kits for their grade and then follow up with a themed kit. The project is completely free for all participating classrooms. Available kits include:

  • Grow Kit
  • Art Kit
  • Hawaiiana Kit
  • Chef Kit
  • Early Childhood Education Kit
  • Sustainability Kit

Already a Participating Teacher?

Access your video curriculum account here.

Want to Bring Kumu Mea Kanu Kits to your Classroom?

Kumu Mea Kanu kits are available at different times throughout the school year. Sign up for our newsletter to get notified when registration opens for the next round of kits.

Stay Connected

Help Us Grow

Kumu Mea Kanu is powered by community support. Here’s how you can help us bring this program to more classrooms across Maui.

Volunteer

Lend a hand assembling kits before they reach students. It’s a fun, hands-on way to make a big difference.

Become a Volunteer

Sponsor a Classroom

Your donation can sponsor an entire classroom, providing all the materials they need to participate for free.

Sponsor a Classroom

Partner With Us

Want to bring Kumu Mea Kanu to your school? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at KumuMeaKanu@growsomegood.org or get in touch through our contact page.