Phase Two: Peace & Sustainability Garden

Aloha!

 

My name is Paul Balazs. I'm originally from Kamilo'iki Valley and have been fortunate enough to be a teacher and advisor at Kaiser High School since 2013. Since 2015, I've been supporting our haumana at Kaiser High School in their efforts to redefine their relationship with the environment through outreach, education, stewardship and activism. Personally, I've witnessed incredible growth in the garden. I've watched young people change how they see themselves and develop meaningful and lasting relationships with others across social groups; learn to communicate and find value in listening; overcome adversity, face fear and battle through personal trauma and loss; and empower others to find their own voice. The garden has become a source for many as a place of resilience, relevance, relationship and responsibility. This GoFundMe reflects a need for help from the community to take our garden space to the next level. Ideally, community collaboration is preferred, but funding is necessary from any angle you look at it.

 

Here's the story of the Wipeout Crew, the original creators and current garden caretakers:

 

 

Garden Background: In 2016, students wanted to create an outdoor place that reflected their love and passion for Maunalua and provided them an opportunity to reconnect with nature and test out their green thumbs! Their idea manifested into what is known today as the Peace & Sustainability Garden. Over the last seven years, students have done a tremendous job taking care of the garden and finding new ways to inspire new growth!

 

In 2017, students decided to expand the garden to include 60 Native Hawaiian plants that would've been found in Maunalua or other drought-tolerant areas. The garden has been named Hau Hele 'Ula by the garden's creator as an homage to the endangered, native hibiscus.

 

In 2019, an inspired science teacher, Jasmine Mathew, began a compost program that continues to give students an opportunity to learn about soil health and the natural processes of decomposition and how to use science to leverage sustainability and community resilience. The program now encourages all students at Kaiser to contribute food waste to the compost area, regardless of whether they're a part of her course.

 

Current Work: Students have created metal plant identification placards for each of the 60 Native Hawaiian plants in our garden. Placards include each plant's Hawaiian name, scientific name and a few words on Hawaiian ways of knowing, or cultural background, uses and lore. Placards created were funded by a grant from KUPU and Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation. The placards also have a QR code that leads to a website students have created that includes detailed information about each plant from multiple knowledge sources. The website will also provide a platform for community members to share their own moʻolelo (stories), background and experiences.

 

Money will help purchase:

 

Thank you for your support! Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to collaborate!

 

Paul Balazs