When the Kihei Elementary School science class, led by Alana Kaopuiki and South Maui Sustainability (SMS) volunteers, decided to plant an edible garden last year, they had no idea of the community support, success and tasty produce that it would foster. Fast forward a growing season and school principal Alvin Shima has called for the expansion of the garden and the program to all Kihei Elementary students.
Now, more than 500 students in 28 classrooms will learn to grow and harvest their own fruits and vegetable at the school's 10,000-square-foot garden. Designed and installed by SMS volunteers, the garden space and program now includes all grade levels. The community group obtained a grant funded by the County of Maui and continues to maintain the garden, where gardening activities have been integrated into the standard curriculum.
The success of the gardening program at Kihei Elementary has prompted SMS to start similar garden programs with the sixth-graders at Lokelani Intermediate School and 85 second- and fourth-graders at Kamali'i Elementary School.
With the fresh assortment of produce at these gardensÐsquash, taro, sweet potatoes, banana, papaya, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, kale, chard, eggplant, green beans, sunflowers, hot peppers, basil, cilantro, parsley, stevia, and nasturtiumsÐthey'll be able to support their own farmers' market.