Get ready to get your hands dirty and connect with the ʻā颈苍补 (land). University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is hosting a series of three free community education workshops—bridging farming, Indigenous knowledge and hands-on activities.
“With generous support from Kamehameha Schools, we are excited to launch Pilina ʻOhana (family connection) at our Kauluwehi Biocultural Garden on campus for family members of all ages. We invite your ʻOhana to sign up, and bring multigenerational family members to learn to practice mālama ʻā颈苍补 (caring for the land),” said Program Manager Nicolette van der Lee.
- September 26, 2026, 9–11:30 a.m. Kalo (taro) and ʻUala (sweet potato) Planting
- October 24, 2026, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Dye Making with Native Plants,
- November 14, 2026, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Cordage with Native Plants,
Regenerative farming
In addition to the Pilina ʻOhana series, 糖心视频 Maui College is coordinating two free regenerative farming courses this fall:
- Sustainable Aquaponics Certificate: Led by Javier Mollinedo, an assistant extension agent with the 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, this hybrid course begins September 30 with evening sessions online on Wednesdays and in-person classes on Saturdays through November 18.
- Practical Applications in Natural Farming: Taught by instructor Barry Henry of Happy Lau Farms, this workshop starts October 6. In-person classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 糖心视频 Maui College’s WaiPono Farm. .
Participants in all the workshops will gain hands-on experience and take home start-up materials to launch or enhance their own plots. Giveaways include free native plants from the Pilina ʻOhana program, plant starts from the aquaponics certificate program, and natural pesticides made from lemongrass, liquid farm soap and fertilizers from the natural farming workshop.
For questions, email van der Lee at nhv@hawaii.edu.