Projects >> Kū‘ula>> Curricula >> K-6 | 7-9 | 10-12 >> Grades 10-12 Curriculm:
[ Ku&_macron;‘ula Traditional Conservation of Marine Resources | Sections: One | Two | Three | Four | Five ]

Gardening Project
Kini, Cody-Fay, Ikaika

Introduction

Our project is a Hawaiian garden. Cody-fay, Ikaika and I have constructed our garden (Māla) near the road on the Pā Hoaka site. We got our soils and mulch from Kamokuna and the Hilo Dump. Our Kalo huli and ‘uala came from Kamokuna and Pana‘ewa from a Kalo farmer, Mr. Leong. Our garden includes Kalo, ‘Uala, Kupukupu ferns, Ti-leaves and Olena. My presentation includes information, data, pictures and problems I encountered. It also includes project proposals and articles that helped me to gain knowledge about my project. The importance of our project was that we learned how to cultivate Kalo and other foods in Hawaiian diet. Also, Kalo is a staple business and may prove to be a lucrative investment. We planted these plants because they are in the Hawaiian diet, used as offerings or are just nice to look at.

Garden Timetable (01-02)

Process

The first step to growing ‘uala is learning how to plant it. We went and got clippings of ‘uala that have started to root little “white tips.” We kept it in a jar of water to extend the roots while we built a 2 ½ to 3 feet deep dirt mounds and the roots are buried about 4-6 inches into the dirt. Make sure there are only about 1 or 2 leaves. We planted the ‘uala in early December. We also added mulch twice, in December and February. The mulch helps hold water in and keep the weeds down.

Our kalo was grown in a similar manner, but the process was a little different. The first thing we did was make dirt rows about 8-12 inches deep. Then we prepared the kalo that was mainly given to us by Kumu Joe, by cutting of all the leaves and the corm. It is important to leave about a ¼ inch of the corm near the “waist” of the kalo. We also waited until there was a new moon to plant. The kalo was then planted half way into the row. After about a month we spread mulch around the base of the stems and in between the rows, we used dump mulch because not only does it hold water and reduce weeds but it also had nitrogen, which is a good nutrient for kalo.

Ti-leaves in our garden were from Kamokuna and were planted differently and was the most difficult. We cut down good 4 to 5 foot ti-tree and cut those pieces into 10 inches each. We later planted them in a 6-inch deep hole in the ground that we made with a pickaxe. Then after a week we sprinkled some asmocoat on them. We never used any fertilizer or mulch because the ti-leaves are good growers. They don't require a lot of attention just a little water now and again.

Problem/Solutions

There were some problems encountered during this project. Some physical problems we encountered in the duration of this project were that sometimes, we had to use dirt that wasn't really high in nutritional values. When we did get dirt that was high in nutritional value, it was too fine and was easily eroded by the rain.

Also, due to the rain, we encountered some water rotting of some of the Kalo. We also had trouble planting the ti-leaves because there were a lot of volcanic slabs of rock that we could not break through. Some other problems were because we didn't have a truck to haul dirt, and several plans had been approved.

The last type of problems we encountered were problems within our group. These problems were resolved through communication, cooperation and teamwork, and the garden is thriving.

Conclusion

If I ever did this again I'd probably do something different. That would be to use better soil that has higher phosphorus content. I'd also use more fertilizer and build up the dirt around the kalo and the uala to produce better corms and potato. While doing this project I learned a better sense of responsibility, cause its like taking care of a family in a way. You need to feed the garden food and water. Keep it clean and provide whatever it is, it needs to grow strong and healthy. We don't plan on planting more plants at the moment. We are just waiting for the harvest.

Mo‘olelo
Wakea	=	Papa
Ho‘ohōkūkalani

Legend of the Lauloa Taro
( Naua Society Version)

After Ho‘ohōkūkalani and her father Wāker were together, to Ho‘ohōkūkalani was born a child. He was not born in the form of a human, but in the form of a root. He was thrown into the east corner of the house and not long after, a taro plant grew from that very spot. When a real child, of human form was born to the couple, Wākea named it Hāloa; ha- from the stalk, and loa- the length.

(Lyman Version)

The child of Papa is born deformed. He has no arms or legs, and at night, he is buried at the end of a long house. In the morning, a taro plant appears with its stalk and leaves. Wākea names the plant Hāloa(long rootstalk). Papa's next child is also named Hāloa, after his older brother.

*It is often said that Hāloa (the man) was the first Hawaiian. His older brother Hāloa(the taro) served as the main source of food and life for the Hawaiians due to this brotherly bond. In return, the Hawaiians cultivated the taro as a form of respect.