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Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation supports environmental education in Hawai'i's schools and communities. Our mission is to provide students with experiences that will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of their environment so they will be lifelong stewards of the earth.
'ĀINA In Schools is a farm to school initiative that connects childern to their local lands, waters, and food in order to grow a healthier Hawai'i. 13 elementary schools currently participate in 'ĀINA In Schools. This semester 1,551 students took part in nutrition lessons, while 3,413 participated in garden lessons and clubs. 234 parent and community volunteers supported the program by giving 3,068 hours. This semester also included the launch of 3rd and 4th grade garden lessons on composting and Hawaiian plants.
Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation Field Trip Grants give schools the financial assistance needed to bring students to outdoor sites where they can experience hands-on learning about Hawai'i's environment. In the Fall of 2012, 5,087 students from 50 schools participated in field trips supported by Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation. Field trip sites included Hoa 'ĀINA o Mākaha, Ku'u Home Kulāiwi Lo'i, Ka'ala Farms, Kahuku Farms, MA'O Farms, and many others.
Kōkua Hawaii Foundation Mini-Grants fund projects and teachers from Hawai'i schools to assist in advancing their environmental goals in the classroom and pursue stewardship endeavors. Over 2,200 students from 12 schools have participated in projects this semester and 9 of those schools are currently using KHF Mini-Grant funds to support Kōkua Earth Action Projects that include Vermicomposting: A Simple Way to Make a Big Difference, School Waste Management through Vermicomposting, CSI KALO: Cultural & Scientific Investigations in Containers, Eco Explorers: Finding Eco Solutions through Campaigning on Campus, and AVID First Year Memorial Garden.
Plastic Free Hawai'i provides resources, tools, and trainings to educate schools, business partners, and community members on the environmental and health benefits of going plastic free to minimize the consumption of single-use plastics in our islands. Nearly 1,456 volunteers have participated in Beach Cleanups at Ka'ena Point, Hale'iwa, Kahuku, and Kailua beaches giving 3,162 hours to keeping our beaches plastic-free! In addition, movie screenings, upcycled t-shirt tote bag making, Plastic Free PSA's and a visit from Captain Charles Moore have been keeping our schools and communities busy spreading the plastic free message.
3R's School Recycling Program empowers students to engage and educate their school community about the 3R's (reduce, reuse, recycle). Schools across the island are in flux for campus-wide recycling since the removal of the City & County of Honolulu Community Recycling bins from schools in the summer of 2012. There are still 48 schools participating in the 3R's School Recycling Program, while at least 20 schools remain on a waiting list. Schools have created their own solutions to campus-wide recycling, while also expanding their efforts to reduce other waste, such as composting cafeteria waste. We are confident a solution is on the horizon and extend our mahalo to many wonderful independent companies and supporters who have offered assistance to finding recycling pick-up solutions for our schools.