Project Grants Landing Page

Project Grant Library

Teachers from Hawai’i public schools can apply for Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation Project 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!

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ʻĀi Pono Garden

Kahului Elementary School

Kahului Elementary’s “Aina Pono Garden” project started in the Fall of 2013 when a couple first grade teachers envisioned a garden in front of their classrooms. After much dedication, time, costs, parents and community companies donated time and talent to make their garden a reality. With the help of a KHFʻs Mini-Grant, many improvements and supplies were purchased to keep the garden’s vision true.

Throughout the years, the teachers created lessons and hands-on experiences in science, reading, math, and writing. Student learned about maintaining an organic garden, watering composting, soil, and insects. They also grew their own plants to take home for holiday gifts.

First Grade Teacher Kelly Sacapanio highly recommends learning in the garden for students.