Back to Waipio
Na Pua No`eau, Center for Gifted & Talented Native Hawaiian Children
March 3, 2007 • Waipio Valley
It was an honor to be allowed to accompany and video-document the Na Pua No`eau Hawaiian Gifted and Talented enrichment program "Back to Waipio". 25-30 students grades six through twelve from Hilo area schools participated in this program that brought them to Waipio Valley to learn of its history and culture, and to work on restoring ancient taro patches there. The program was led by Toni Mallow and Kulia Tolentino-Chin, and will be featured in the April "Eye-Kea" video segment on the Living in Paradise cable television show.
After weeks of rain, it was a wonderful relief to have good weather for today's activities After a pule and oli, the students assembled into groups before walking down the valley Hi`ilawe falls and Waipio Valley walls frame the lo`i students would work in during the day
The students started out by harvesting the kalo leaves Students cooperated with each other and focused on the task at hand The work was hard and dirty, but the students endeavored with relish and enthusiasm