Eighteen Ka‘u High School students received a Certificate of Achievement in Agriculture and Landscaping, along with college credits, for their participation in the Ka‘u Global Learning Lab.
The students were honored Friday with a celebration at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and at the Hawaii Community College graduation.
“Coming from a rural community where there’s not a lot of college-educated people, this is just huge,” said Program Director Aina Akamu. “It’s about not only instilling in students the values of sustainability and malama ‘aina, but also taking action and working to grow food for the community.”
Ka‘u Global Learning Lab is part of Ka‘u Dream Initiative, started in October 2021 and designed to help students with agricultural sustainability.
Projects include the installation of a 30- by 80-foot garden on campus, the adoption of the garden at the Pahala Senior Center, and the revitalization of the Ka‘u High farm, which led to the donation of more than 3,800 pounds of food to the community.
“One of our focuses is on trying to reduce food insecurity in our community,” Akamu said. “They’re learning to plant and to grow food, but they’re getting the satisfaction of realizing they are making a difference in their community.”
Funding was provided through the Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief Fund, where a task force selected innovative programs to address needs generated by the pandemic. Additional support came from Hawaii Executive Collaborative, KTA Super Stores, Hawaii Community College and other community organizations.
“It’s because of our work with them that we’ve been able to develop this program,” Akamu said. “We’re really doing our best to make sure this is an equitable program for all students.”
Ka‘u is the largest district in the county, where roughly 32% of residents live below the poverty line. Many students are English language learners and come from a variety of backgrounds.
“Ka‘u has been identified as the most underserved community in the state,” Akamu said. “If we can make a difference in Ka‘u we can make a difference anywhere.”
Graduates of the program ranged from freshman to seniors and included three sets of siblings, all of whom spoke highly of the program and their experience.
“I was grateful to be there,” said Kelson Gallano, who contributed art for the entrepreneurship side of the program. Gallano designed hats for the students and staff early on and with additional support, was able to illustrate a children’s book published last week through the program. “I’m really proud of myself for accomplishing something, and I think my family is proud of me, too.”
Kelson’s parents were impressed with the results and with his new college credits.
“The most rewarding thing is the confidence that the program gave him,” said Gallano’s mother, Brenda. “He’s a hands-on learner, and this program is something a lot of the kids in Ka‘u need.”
The program prioritizes integrated learning, with students taking assessments in English, math, science and social studies for their agriculture certification.
“For teachers, we had an opportunity to collaborate and see how I can connect my class with all the other classes,” said Beatriz Ramos, science teacher at Ka‘u High. “It’s been a very positive experience and this is just the first year.”
Future plans for the program include developing ways for students to package and sell the food they grow and creating additional sustainability projects on campus.
“Next year, we’ll be having students create products and food businesses,” said Akamu, adding students will assist in production such as designing brand labels and determining costs. “They can continue taking classes in our program and earn additional certificates and credits, possibly even an associate’s degree for some of them.”
The ceremony was attended by First Lady Dawn Ige, who serves as chair of Ka‘u Global Learning Lab, along with Duane Kurisu of Hawaii Executive Collaborative, Derek Kurisu of KTA Super Stores and Ka‘u Complex Area Superintendent Stacy Bello.
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com