Kokua Hawaii Foundation Resources for Educators

Our grants and programs are valuable resources available to students and teachers across the state of Hawai’i.

Environmental Education Mini-Grants: Support teachers from Hawai’i public schools to help advance their environmental education goals.

Environmental Field Trip Assistance: Bring students to outdoor sites where they can experience hands-on learning about Hawai’i's natural environment.

Kokua Earth Action Projects: Foster student lead initiatives that create lasting, positive change in their schools and communities.

Energy Detective Kits: Guides students to uncover how their school can save energy by solving energy mysteries in the classroom.

3R’s School Recycling Program: Empowers student leadership and encourage reducing, reusing, and recycling on campus.

Inquire now, email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Kokua by Becoming a Volunteer!

We are building our ‘AINA In Schools (Actively Integrating Nutrition and Agriculture In Schools) teams at each of the ‘AINA schools for the 2010-2011 school year. We are recruiting parent and community docents to teach monthly nutrition lessons for grades 2nd & 6th, and garden lessons for Grades K, 1st, 5th. No experience necessary, and times are flexible! Join us in educating the next generation about how to make healthy food choices and how to grow their own food.

Garden Docent Training Dates:

• Honolulu Schools (Waikiki, Waialae, Ala Wai): Monday, August 16th, Ala Wai Elementary School gardens 9-12pm
• Windward Schools (Ahuimanu, Aikahi, Kamakau): Thursday, August 19th, Ahuimanu Elementary School gardens 2:15-5:15pm
• North Shore Schools (Sunset, Waialua): Wednesday, August 18th, Sunset Beach Elementary School gardens 9-12pm

Nutrition Docent Training Dates:

• Honolulu Schools (Waikiki, Waialae, Ala Wai): Tuesday, August 24th, Wai’alae PCS Elementary 9-12pm
• Windward Schools (Ahuimanu, Aikahi, Kamakau):: Thursday, August 26th, Aikahi Elementary 9-12pm
• North Shore Schools (Sunset, Waialua): Monday, August 30th, Sunset Beach Elementary 9-12pm

AINA In Schools invites individual or group volunteers to work alongside the ‘AINA In Schools Team, to open our school gardens by amending the soil, adding compost, and mulching pathways in preparation for the Fall ‘AINA garden lessons.

Fall Garden Parties Dates:

• Saturday, Aug. 7th Ala Wai Elementary 9-11am
• Saturday, Aug. 7th Waikiki Elementary 2-4 pm
• Saturday, Aug. 14th Aikahi Elementary 9-11 am
• Saturday, Aug. 14th Ahuimanu Elementary 1-3 pm
• Saturday, Aug. 21st Sunset Beach Elementary 9-11 am
• Saturday, Aug. 28th Wai’alae Elementary 9-11 am

If interested in any of the above volunteer opportunities, please save the date and RSVP to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

For more info on ‘AINA In Schools click here.

Mahalo for your support!

During the 2009-2010 school year Kokua Hawai’i Foundation reached thousands!  Here’s a brief snapshot:

Environmental Education Field Trip Assistance Program

Kokua’s field trip assistance grants bring students to outdoor sites where they can experience hands-on learning about Hawai’i's natural environment.

3,180 students at 46 schools participated in Kokua-supported field trips. Field trip sites include Bishop Museum, Paepae O He’eia, Camp Erdman, Lyon Arboretum, Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo, and many others.

An additional 4,450 children visited Hoa ‘Aina O Makaha’s educational farm, which receives Kokua funding for their Ke Ala Learning Center.

Environmental Education Mini-Grants

Teachers from Hawai’i public schools can apply for mini-grants to help advance their environmental education goals.

3,750 students and 20 schools received assistance for environmental education supplies, curricula, and workshops.

     

‘AINA In Schools

This farm to school program aims to connect children to their land, waters and food in order to grow a healthier future for Hawai’i. ‘ĀINA IS brings nutrition education, garden-based learning, agricultural literacy, and healthy food choices to Hawai’i's schools.

10 elementary schools on O’ahu participated in our ‘ĀINA IS program. This year 1,500 students participated in garden lessons, while 1,200 took part in nutrition lessons. Over 400 parent and community volunteers supported the program by giving 1,831 hours.

     
     

3R’s School Recycling Program
Our Our 3 R’s School Recycling Program encourages reducing, reusing, and recycling on campus by providing educational resources and recycling bins to participating schools.

20,800 students at 40 participating schools reduce, reuse, and recycle on campus. Several of these schools have started composting and vermicomposting food and green waste on campus.

     

Kokua Earth Action Projects (KEAP)
KEAP is an environmental service-learning initiative encouraging students to work toward creating lasting, positive change in their schools and communities. KEAP groups are recognized for their achievements at the annual Keiki Kokua Day.

During the 2009-2010 school year over 600 students from across the state developed KEAP projects. “Greening Your Campus,” “Compost Start-Up on Campus,” “Renew and Reuse Clothing” and “Container Gardening” are a few examples of this year’s projects.

     

Plastic Free Hawai’i is a coalition of community members and business owners that strives to educate the stores, restaurants, schools, residents and visitors of Hawai’i on the environmental and health benefits of going plastic free to minimize the consumption and pollution of plastics in our islands.

Currently over 55 businesses have pledged to stop disbursing single-use plastics such as plastic bags and styrofoam containers.

                   

Simplify the Holidays is a campaign that focuses on our traditional holiday dreams and ideals, while helping our local economy, environment and communities too.

Over 1,300 KHF members and friends pledged to give back to their environment and communities this past holiday season.

Those commitments translated to 13.3 tons of waste avoided, 9 tons of paper saved and 888 hours volunteered!

 

 

Film Screenings & Discussions allow us to share a variety of environmental issues with a broader community audience.

Over 600 people attended screenings of the film Food, Inc. and Time for Lunch campaign events advocating for healthier and fresher school lunches.

200 watched the film Tapped during World Water week.