Ho'oulu 'Aina

I've been asking my college professor all semester when would we be visiting Hooulu Aina after hearing how the class last year got to learn about planting awa. So when the chance came I was definitely excited and ended up learning a lot. To teachers especially if you have handicap students: Do it!! There was a hike (which my professor forgot to tell me about) to the site we worked at, but depending on the severity of the students disability it's doable (though they may complain a lot especially if you don't prepare them ahead of time). Plus there is a road where the guys were able to take me back down in a truck (which if my professor had let them know ahead of time they probably could have brought me up, though I won't tell him, but the minor discomfort I felt was well worth the satisfaction of what we accomplished that day).

This place is amaze. My family friend told me about it, since she's the psychologist at Kokua Kalihi Valley clinics and has been here a few times herself. I came for the first time last month and was treated to an amazingly therapeutic day of clearing invasives in order to allow koa to naturally come up. Learned about a few plants and how to identify them and was treated to an amazing lunch after, cooked by volunteers, and took some edible hibiscus home for cooking. Although I spent three hours clearing, I definitely feel like I came away with so much more than I put in and regretted putting off coming for wanting to sleep in, or do other errands, in the few months prior. I have been missing out on a lot.I came for the second time this past weekend and we spent some time clearing weeds from several different sites on the farm, which we then fed to the pigs. Other activities include kapa pounding, hale building, garden maintenance, and cooking, so lots of opportunity to do what suits you and your abilities. The staff is great. I worked with Aulani this weekend, who is a total gem and a staffer there for the last six years. She introduced me to maile hohono, which puts a stop to mosquito bites and OMFG it's a miracle plant.Lots of people here fulfilling volunteer requirements, but I'm just doing it cuz I love it. Make sure to dress appropriately with things you can get dirty in. Bring your own water, even better bring your own plates/silverware for lunch, and be prepared for a day of well-being and rejuvenation.Make sure to also check out Roots Cafe to support local farms/food. I haven't been myself, but can't wait to go.

Ho'oulu 'Aina is a 100 acre or so property in the back of kalihi valley that hosts a bunch of community stewardship opportunities and allows visitors to volunteer, but also connect with the people and the land and have all the wonderful feels of being a farmer. I learned that I want to be a farmer when I grow up. I told my mom and she said no :( so for now, I'll just have to come every third Saturday to Ho'oulu 'Aina. I love that there is such a variety of people who decide to spend 4 hours on a Saturday working at Ho'oulu 'Aina. There were UH students, middle schoolers from Dole, international people and people that come on their own with no particular group. On the Saturday that I visited, there were a lot a lot of people. We could decide what project we wanted to help with, from making lunch to clearing trails to helping in the garden or making pili bundles to rethatch the hale with.After 4 hours of cleaning pili grass, it was time for lunch, which was delicious and made from many of the vegetables and things that grow at Ho'oulu 'Aina. After lunch, many volunteers left, but I went on a little tour of the property. There is a lot to see and do here and a lot of cultural learning takes place. The people who live and work here are so friendly and I can't wait to come back to this little paradise I never knew existed!

This is quite simply a beautiful program full of thoughtful people on a a truly incredible 100 acres of land located over in the Kalihi valley. To quote from their website, part of the mission of Ho'oulu 'Aina is "to share knowledge and offer a variety of opportunities regarding healthy food, exercise, increased self-sufficiency, and a reconnection with the land, nature and diverse cultures." Mission accomplished! (And continuing forward!)This programs objective is one that almost anyone can get behind. Sustainability and cultural awareness... when were those ever bad things? If you're looking for that special someplace to volunteer your time... you've just found it. I know I did.

What an awesome and inspiring experience. I went on a Ohe kapala outing not knowing what to expect. Nalu Andrade was our host and his knowledge on the protocol of gathering ohe from the ohe forest was very instrumental in getting a spritual experience. He walked us through the whole process of gathering ohe from the ohe forest. Let me tell you it takes good and hard physcical stamina to gather ohe. The staff at Ho'oulu Aina were very helpful and passionate. Check out their website, you'll be glad you did.

Beautiful, inspiring, and simply amazing. Not the biggest fan of bugs and sun exposure (and sunburn and wrinkles), but Ho'oulu'Aina is worth the potential risks.It's kind of a far drive into the valley, but it's relatively easy to get to. No real tricky turns or anything... The road does get a bit narrow, but whatevs.Anyway, the people who work at Ho'oulu 'Aina are incredibly knowledgable and caring. I learned so many things from them and was even blessed with the opportunity to try fresh, raw tumeric. I worked with my nursing cohort to help give back to the land that feeds us...so it was nice. Although, it was no walk in the park... There was definitely some sweat and hard work involved, but it was a great bonding, learning, and growing experience nonetheless. I really had no clue a place like this even existed on Oahu, but I'm glad I had the opportunity. It felt really awesome to learn about, admire, appreciate, and give back to our 'aina.

I must admit, this place is great. Never in my life did I realize that there was such a place in town. Located at the end of Kalihi Street, there is about 100 acres of the most beautiful valley.What was suppose to be a community volunteer turned out to be a learning lesson for me. I felt inspired and one with the "aina". From the plantings, to the "hale" to other activities they have planned there is something that each and everyone one of us can help out in a way.On this June 2014, there was over 200 people. Being with with an Aloha circle (everyone introduces themselves and tells something about them) and you end with a Mahalo circle. This is something that you don't experience much, but find in the Hawaiian culture.Happening every 3rd Saturday of the month from 8:30-12. Get involved and give back.

This is my backyard and it is a beautiful place.Its a great place to volunteer community service and be in touch with the aina. The program promotes propagating and cultural sustainability. The people here are very knowledgeable about taking care and healing the aina. Puni & Casey are amazing people. Its open to the community every 3rd saturdays of the month from 8am-12pm.

I had no idea this place even existed! This was my first time that I went this far back into Kalihi Valley off of the Likelike Highway. The reason I had come here was to do some good ol' volunteer work with the Alaka'i Young Professionals club. We joined a group of a few dozen others, some from other community service organizations, others were just individual community members wanting to help out.The sense of welcome that you feel from the whole group is wonderful, and they work that is done here is very worthwhile. Not only is Ho'oulu 'Aina a beautiful spot in the valley full of wild flora and fauna (one of my friends said "Woah! It looks like Pandora... From the Avatar movie!"), but they also have a large garden full of growing produce, and a lo'i (taro patch)! Other parts of the grounds include areas where various native medicinal plants are growing, and fighting against the invasive species that are encroaching on the land. The job that we worked on this day was helping to weed out the invasive species from these areas where the medicinal plants were growing. Others went with the other groups including a group that went down to the stream to help clean it up, another group went to the gardens to harvest, others went to the kitchen to prepare food for everyone after, and there were some other groups doing other kinds of work too. I guess it just depends on what kind of work needs to be done at the time.I learned quite a bit about the native plants we were helping out, and the invasives that we were getting rid of. I also made some new friends as I was working alongside them out there. The food that was prepared for the volunteers was made from many of the harvested fresh produce from the garden, and was absolutely delicious! This is definitely a group that I would recommend becoming involved in, and helping out. They're doing good work back there in the valley, and they're always welcoming of anyone who wants to help. I'm looking forward to going back to help out and learn more. Maybe I'll see you there one day! Check it out!

My son attended a 3 hour session in order to complete a college credit in sustainability. He was pleasantly surprised by hospitality of the staff and learned a lot in a short period of time. He was able to do some work in the garden and listen to workshops and then was fed a delicious Hawaiian type lunch. This turned out to be a great educational experience for him.