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Wa`a Molokai

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Community Contributed

By Nichole and Jill Ross, Permaculture Research Institute USA

Food security and canoes go hand-in-hand in Hawaii. When Polynesians first settled the islands around 750 AD, voyagers stocked massive double-hulled canoes with specific crops necessary for survival. They carefully prepared, packed and loaded vine cuttings, rootstock, crowns, sprouts, slips, shoots and seeds for long journeys across the unforgiving Pacific Ocean. Early Hawaiians understood the importance of successful plant and seed propagation. Their survival depended on it, as does ours.

The Polynesians planted these staples, known today as “canoe plants” – ulu, kalo, mai`a, niu, `uala, uhi, etc. – on the islands using innovative techniques such as stream irrigation, terracing, mulching, and green manure. Eventually, the `aina became momona, or abundant, with everything needed for survival. This was particularly true for Molokai; so plentiful with food, it became known as the “breadbasket” of Hawaii, providing surplus shared with all islands.

Today, many on Molokai still get protein through fishing and hunting. However, poor land management mauka has devastated fishponds and reefs makai, which used to be momona, from erosion, goats, and deer. And, while 38 percent of the island grows produce, many rely on weekly barge imports. If barges stop coming, only a seven days’ supply of food will be left on grocery store shelves for all of Hawaii.

Fortunately, local community leaders have partnered to heal the `aina and create more food security. Little exposure to plant diseases and pests makes Molokai unique compared to her sister islands, creating an ideal place to begin re-stocking the land as a central food source.

With the aid of permaculture training, Molokai can reclaim `aina momoma and become a living canoe that will preserve Hawaiian culture and serve as a polycultured plant source the Pacific Rim. She can grow canoe plants with other tropical varieties, creating the most resilient mix for food security.

PRI USA, Sust`ainable Molokai and the Alu Like Ho`ala Hou Program sponsored 20 local students for five weeks of permaculture training in the fall of 2010 to prepare for island-wide planting on Hawaiian Homelands and ahupua`a restoration. Next, we will begin setting up nursery stocks via a four-day “Plant Propagation and Seed Saving” course starting April 11, covering propagation, seed collection, nursery management and soil mixes. During island-wide gathering efforts, we will document sources to create a local plant database. After, students will lead community collection and propagation efforts and begin re-vegetative work.

Please visit PRI USA’s website at www.permacultureusa.org to register for the course. We are also offering a two-day Swale Practicum on April 15.

Washington DC Here We Come!

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Community Contributed

By Ric Ornellas

Tsunami waves couldn’t stop or delay eager Molokai High School students. An hour after the downgrading of Friday’s tsunami, four students and two teacher-chaperones left for Washington D.C. earlier than scheduled on March 11. A fifth student and third chaperone followed later. The students will participate in Close Up 2011, a nationwide educational program of civic engagement and citizenship training.

Days before, 2010 graduate Kawaiola Kalipi told the students, “Get lots of rest and learn to be flexible.” Kawaiola, a current student at Maui Community College on Molokai, was a Close Up participant last year and experienced first-hand the benefits of learning through civic engagement. Kawaiola told the students that meeting other high school students from different parts of the country was both interesting and challenging. While some of their new friends shared rural backgrounds and loved hunting, communicating at first was challenging with different pronunciations and slang.

The 2011 Molokai participants, like Kawaiola, raised their own funds to journey and participate in the Close Up program. Students wrote fundraising letters, made and sold plate lunches at the Molokai Hoe race, sold Liliha Bakery Coco Puffs, pizza tickets, and See’s chocolates. Parents supported throughout the many fundraising activities and community outreach. 

Since 1990, Molokai High School students have participated in Close Up’s exciting enrichment program. Students and their teacher-chaperones explore the inner workings of the nation’s capital, and meet with elected officials – namely Sens. Inouye and Akaka and Reps. Hirono and Hanabusa – as well as policy experts and media professionals. They tour national monuments which commemorate pivotal events in our country’s history as well as view locales where history was made. D.C. streets and buildings become a living classroom for emerging young citizens. Molokai High School students will meet with hundreds of other students from all over the country to exchange views and share ideas and experiences of civic engagement and approaching citizenship.

You can follow the students’ daily progress through D.C by going to http://www.molokaik12.hi.us/, click on Enter Our Directory, go to Academics, then Library, find Close Up 2011, and see DC Posting. Students will post daily their reflections and photos for family and friends back home.

On Thursday, March 31, come to the Molokai High School library where the students will share what they saw and learned in D.C. in a mix of spoken, written, and digital media.