This Saturday, March 5th, will be a proud day for the hard working efforts of Pomaika‘i Elementary School, Community Work Day Program, and its partners. On this day construction will begin on a four phase garden plan that has been in development for over a year. Pomaika‘i’s school program called “The Green Dream” stands strong together in its commitment to learning and behaving as stewards of the land. Their mission is demonstrated in their ongoing Waihe’e restoration project and the planned integration of garden based curriculum. Through these projects, Pomaika‘i Elementary integrates twenty-first century skills into their curriculum while focusing on the important issue of understanding how to grow your own food.

This day also marks a critical milestone in Community Work Day Program’s involvement in the Center for Disease Control initiative called “Communities Putting Prevention to Work.” CPPW involves a grassroots effort to build eighteen school/community gardens in Maui County in partnership with the CDC, the State of Hawaii Department of Health, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply, University of Hawaii Maui College, The Maui School Garden Network, Maui Economic Opportunity, Bioponic Phytoceuticals, Ace Hardware, with the support of many other local businesses, restaurants, and non profits.

The upcoming garden work day will be held on Saturday March 5th at Pomaika‘i Elementary School, 410 Hina Ave in Kahului. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, and water bottles. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. The day’s efforts will include constructing garden beds, planting starts, amending soil, constructing a tool shed, and working on a large garden mural from 9am to 1pm.

Community volunteers are welcome to participate in the first work day and are encouraged to commit as an on-going volunteer at the Pomaika‘i Elementary School garden, or at others that will be created over the next year. Restaurants, businesses, and community organizations interested in volunteering their time or materials for the garden projects are welcome to contact Community Work Day Program at (808) 877-2524.

Matt Lane
CPPW Outreach Coordinator at Community Work Day Program
email: m_lane at hotmail.com

Community Work Day Program
P.O. Box 757
Puunene, HI 96784
808.877.2524 Maui
888.592.2522 Toll Free