Our Programs

While the permanent Mālama Learning Center facility is in the planning and construction phases, pilot programs with a wide range of partners are being conducted to gauge community interest in various types of activities that create healthy living environments. Being that we have no walls up yet, our programs run under the “WOW” (WithOut Walls) banner and center on developing skills and knowledge in sustainability from mauka to makai (mountains to ocean), and on building a greater appreciation for the connection between nature and the arts.

See our 2010 WOW workshop series calendar. Click here to sign up for workshops and pre-pay. To receive notification about other community outreach activities, please send us your contact info and areas of interest.  

NEW! We are launching the Hawai‘i Green Collar Institute in partnership with Leeward Community College Hālau ‘Ike O Pu‘uloa for Leeward O‘ahu high school and college students.

Making Preserves from Local Fruits and Vegetables, August 7, 2010

May Hasegawa, long time cook and expert gardener, shared simple recipes that her family has used for generations making good use of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Using  mangoes picked from her friend’s backyard, May made delicious mango-pineapple jam, and using daikon (Oriental radish), she demonstrated making pickled daikon with umeboshi (salted plum). She also shared stories of growing up just outside of Hilo, Hawai‘i. One story in particular mesmerized the group – surviving the tsunami (tidal wave) with a newborn baby!

Photos by Darlene Loo-MacDowell

Making Natural Dyes from Traditional Hawaiian Plants, July 10, 2010

As a follow-up to the previous workshop on kapa making, Bernice Akamine, a native Hawaiian artist, explained how native and naturalized Hawaiian plants have been used in dye-making. After a quick introduction to the concept of dye-making, Bernice had the class busy working in groups to prepare dyes from different plants:  ma‘o hau hele, kūkaenēnē, Delissea, ‘ākala and African Tulip. Everyone went home with sample strips of dyed cloth. What a fun day!

Photos by Pauline Sato

Introduction to the Art of Kapa Making, June 5, 2010

Ka‘iulani de Silva, a contemporary kapa maker, opened a new world of appreciation for the art of kapa. Kapa was an integral part of every part of life in ancient Hawai‘i, for birth, marriage, daily apparel, and burial. Ka‘iulani masterfully spoke of the plants, tools, and history of kappa making. Then everyone got their hands busy by stripping the wauke plants for the fiber, beating the fiber, and using ‘ohe kāpala (stamps) for decoration. Mahalo nui loa to Ka‘iulani for this inspiring workshop.

Photos by Pauline Sato

Vermicomposting: Recycling with Worms, May 1, 2010

We had a wonderful workshop all about vermicomposting with Olomana Gardens. It is amazing how much worms can reduce waste while providing fantastic vermicast and worm tea to use in our gardens. Mahalo to Glenn Martinez for spreading the joy of recycling with worms with us.

Photos by Janice Staab

Nature-inspired Art, April 10, 2010

Alyce Dodge, instructor at Honolulu Academy of Arts, led a wonderful workshop on nature-inspired art. Leaves, paints, and even old styrofoam containers created simple masterpieces sure to be revisited during gift-giving time.

Photos by Pauline Sato

Student Sustainability Hō‘ike – April 1, 2010

With support from the Ka Papa O Kakuhihewa Fund and the Kohlberg Foundation, MLC provided content and financial support to teachers in formal and non-formal settings in the West O‘ahu region who want to engage their students in projects that study sustainability in today’s context tied to cultural practices.  More than 60 teachers and students from four schools came together to our first hō’ike (exhibition) to share their projects and what they learned. For example, students studied “aquaponics,” cultural gardens that feature hula and canoe plants, creating earth ovens, and preparing locally grown foods.  

Photos by Pauline Sato

Seagull Schools Inservice Training – March 25, 2010

Mahalo to Seagull Schools for inviting us to their inservice training where we shared tips on "fun ways to get kids to love the earth." We had fun, too.

Photos by Pauline Sato

Introduction to Lā‘au Lapa‘au, March 6, 2010

Krista Steinfeld, a practitioner of lā‘au lapa‘au under the tutelage of Levon Ohai of Kaua‘i, shared a wealth of information to a room full of curious learners. She helped participants understand that lā‘au lapa‘au is not just about medicinal plants, but rather is a holistic way of taking care of yourself through proper eating, sleeping, exercising, cleansing, meditating, pondering, and pule. Krista helped everyone look at their lives with a new perspective. Needless to say, participants were interested in learning more. We hope to bring Krista back for follow-up sessions.

Photos by Pauline Sato

Raised Bed Gardening, February 20, 2010

Glenn Martinez and Natalie from Olomana Gardens brought a truckload of materials to reveal various ways to make successful raised bed gardens. They shared the benefits of raising beds, including weed control and ease of cultivating, and demonstrated how to make really good soil using cinder, vermiculite, coconut coir, and vermicast (from worms). Their presentation inspired many participants to get started on their gardens right away while the winter rains are still with us.

Photos by Pauline Sato

Cooking with Locally Grown Foods, January 16, 2010

An eager group of local residents started off the New Year on a healthy foot by attending the
workshop on macrobiotic cooking with locally grown foods. Macrobiotic cooking involves eating a wide variety of foods grown locally, organically and in season, and utilizes a variety of simple cooking techniques. Makaha resident Chef Leslie Ashburn taught the engaging workshop covering macrobiotic cooking philosophy, benefits of eating healthy, demonstrations and tips on cooking efficiently, and last but not least, food tasting!  The menu included: tempeh collard wraps, beet salad, and kale salad with ‘ono sauces and dressings. Workshop attendees left with a satisfied palette and various seeds so that they can grow vegetables and cook “macrobiotically” at home.

Creating Gifts that are Good for the Earth, December 12, 2009

Experienced craftsperson Gaudencia Palomo-Burns demonstrated how to make useful and beautiful bags from old jeans and clothes. Participants brought their old jeans and pants to make the bags and also learned how to decorate them using versatile and low-impact stenciled prints with a Hawaiian theme. Gaudencia, a social worker at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Clinic, was inspired to recycle materials from her experiences in Mexico and her husband’s work in the Philippines.

Photos by Craig Burns

Lei Weaving Workshop, October 24, 2009

The past workshop on native lei gardening held in September, showed participants the importance of preserving native lei plants for future use.  This workshop demonstrated how to incorporate many different kinds of plants, native and non-native, into lei making.  Experienced practitioner, Leandra Wai with the Cultural Learning Center at Ka‘ala, shared her expertise with eager lei makers.

Photos by Janice Staab

Lei Garden Workshop on September 26, 2009

This hands-on workshop focused on how to grow native Hawaiian lei plants in backyard gardens to encourage people to create beautiful lei while preserving plant populations in the wild that are becoming increasingly rare. Participants went home with pots of four different native plants.  The Mālama Learning Center partnered with the Ho‘oulu project at Leeward Community College to conduct this workshop.

Dry Box Workshop, July 18th, 2009

The Mālama Learning Center partnered with the Cultural Learning Center at Ka'ala Farm to run this intergenerational community workshop aimed at. using natural energy sources to cook and preserve their food.  11 families (40 people) learned about preparing and salting fish, identifying limu (algae), making inamona, and made their own dry boxes to preserve fish and other foods using solar energy.

Photos by Pauline Sato

Earth Building at Kapolei High School
Students of Kapolei High School’s Ho`ola Leadership Academy participated in a six-week workshop to learn about "natural building" materials and techniques.  Students learned to use locally available resources and skills to design and construct an earth oven and earth structure.  The workshop was led by natural resources building specialist, Timothy Rieth, who has worked on similar projects in Hawai`i at Nānākuli High & Intermediate School and Wai`anae High School and in locations around the world.

Vermicomposting Workshop
A Saturday workshop on composting with earthworms was attended by 48 residents of West O'ahu including ten K-12 teachers on September 20, 2008 at Kapolei High School.  Participants learned how to transform kitchen scraps and junk mail into rich organic fertilizer with the help of earthworms. Leading the workshop was permaculturist, organic farmer, and vermicomposting expert Glenn Martinez, owner of Olomana Gardens in Waimanalo (www.olomanagardens.com).

Backyard Edible Gardens Workshop
The Mālama Learning Center’s workshop on growing edible plants was held on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at Kapolei High School.  Participants including 16 K-12 teachers learned how to select edible plants for backyard garden, growing techniques, maintaining soil health, transplanting seedlings, and non-toxic methods for controlling garden pests.  Leading the workshop was plant specialist Anthony M. Ortiz -- B.S. in Agronomy and Soil Sciences, M.S. in Plant Pathology, U.H. CTAHR Board of Alumni member, and resource management teacher, with a family
background in farming.

Indigenous Stories Theatre Project
Inspired by Hawaiian myths and legends and the need to care for the environment, students from Kapolei and Nanakuli High Schools produced and performed original new plays for elementary schools within the Kapolei and Nanakuli complexes. The “Indigenous Stories Theatre Project” included three stories about sustainability, environmental issues, and Hawaiian culture. Seven performances were made over several weeks beginning on November 27, 2007 at Kapolei Elementary School, and traveled to Barbers Point, Mauka Lani, Nānāikapono, Makakilo, and Nānākuli Elementary Schools.

Kalaeloa Restoration
At the end of November 2007, students from Kapolei High School’s Hawaiian Studies and Agriculture classes visited Hui Kū Maoli Ola Native Hawaiian Plant Nursery to learn about different native Hawaiian plants and how to care for and grow them. Working with nursery owner, Rick Barboza, the students also weeded and cleared a coastal site in Kalaeloa intended for restoration.

Kapu`uola Star Compass
On November 19, 2007, Nainoa Thompson, Executive Director and Navigator of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and students from Kapolei High School’s Graphics and Astronomy Academies installed a star compass on Kapu`uola, the Mālama Learning Center's outdoor performance and educational mound. Kapu‘uola, which translates as ‘the living hill,’ “is a living classroom where students come together to malama (care for) native plants and to learn how to read the stars above.”

“Trash to Treasure” Art to Go Workshop
Mālama Learning Center, in partnership with the Honolulu Academy of Arts and Kapolei High School, hosted its second art studio workshop for students from October – December 2007. The theme was Trash to Treasure, as students created wearable art from salvaged materials found at home, school, at the beach, or on the street. Students developed creative thinking skills while creating an awareness of conservation, and considering ways of renewing resources. This workshop was taught by Pearlyn Salvador, a graduate of Waipahu High School and the University of Hawaii Fine Arts program and currently an art instructor for the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Native Hawaiian Plant Workshop
Working in partnership with the Hawaiian Electric Company and Kapolei High School, MLC conducted its first native Hawaiian plant workshop emphasizing xeriscape (water conservation) techniques on April 14, 2007. Amy Tsuneyoshi of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Rick Barboza of Hui Ku Maoli Ola were the guest speakers who instructed more than 40 community members. The participants learned about xeriscaping, native plants adapted to the West Oahu environment, and planting techniques. Each person went home with a native plant, new knowledge, and a thirst for more workshops.

“Transformation” Art to Go Workshop
Mālama Learning Center, in partnership with the Honolulu Academy of Arts and Kapolei High School, hosted an eight-week art studio workshop for students from April 4 – May 2, 2006. The theme was Transformation, as students had the opportunity to transform themselves into a “secret hero” by making a self-portrait mask. This after-school class was taught by Ms. Cameron, who has been making art for 30 years. She draws and makes art from “rubbish”, which she has exhibited at art galleries in Hawai‘i and on the mainland.

Mauka to Makai: Issues with Invasive Species in Hawaiian Ecosystems
Teacher Workshop
Mālama Learning Center proudly hosted its first FREE Teacher Workshop in collaboration with Lyon Arboretum, Mānoa Pikoi, The Nature Conservancy, and Kapolei High. The two-day workshop held on December 3 and December 10, 2005 was designed for teachers interested in gaining knowledge and skills in integrated science and place-based education.
Mālama Learning Center extends its gratitude to the instructors based at the University of Hawai‘i for providing their time and expertise.