Our Programs
‘AINA In Schools Program
Launched in 2006, ‘AINA in Schools is aimed at connecting children to their land, waters and food in order to grow a healthier future for Hawai’i. Our mission is to “Actively Integrate Nutrition and Agriculture In Schools. We do this through promotion of healthy school lunches featuring locally grown produce, nutrition education in the classroom, garden-based learning, agricultural field trips, solid waste management, and community outreach. Click here for a list of resources schools and families can use in starting their own farm-to-school program.
3R’s School Recycling
With in-class recycling and school-wide collection by student councils and service clubs, this program teaches students about the importance of the 3R’s: reducing, reusing, and recycling. The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation partners with local recycling companies to sponsor school fundraising drives and to pickup recyclables from participating schools.
Environmental Education Mini Grants
Teachers from Hawai’i public schools can apply for mini-grants to help advance their environmental education goals. Previous grantees have used KHF funds for garden supplies, eco-footprint workshops, vermicompost trainings, and more. One school has raised enough worms to start a commercial-scale vermicomposting bin for their campus food waste!
Environmental Field Trips
Our field trip assistance program helps bring students to outdoor sites where they can experience hands-on learning about Hawai’i's environment. The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation offers financial assistance to Hawai’i public schools which otherwise could not afford to participate in environmental field trips. See the list of environmental field trip opportunities and download the Environmental Field Trip Grant Application Form here.
KEAP - Kokua Earth Action Projects
Kokua Earth Action Projects (KEAP) is a student led environmental service learning initiative aimed at taking care of our islands and encouraging long-lasting change in our classrooms, schools or community. Student groups from Hawai’i schools create and execute their own projects. Some Kokua Earth Action Projects include: instituting a program to compost lunch waste, starting an on-campus garden, setting up a recycling or water catchment program, adopting a beach and more.
Environmental Education Curriculum
The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation is in the process of compiling a library of curriculum and lessons for teachers on a variety of environmental education topics. Please visit the Educators section for a list of our resources. If you have a new lesson or curriculum to share, please contact us.