Ma ka hana ka ʻike is the Hawaiian proverb for the current day educational term “experiential learning”. In order for students to see the cultural and communal significance of kalo and gain an understanding of what it takes to cultivate it, they must get into the loʻi and work together. Through the growing of kalo first hand by students, innumerable lessons are taught and learned.

We all come across challenges that seem insurmountable when faced alone. By taking part in tasks that would overwhelm one person, students gain a greater understanding of how their individual efforts, combined together with that of others, can lead to a community accomplishment where all gain a sense of ownership and responsibility.

During this lesson, students imagine sailing thousands of miles with limited drinking water and essential supplies. In doing so, they contemplate our island’s finite resources and the necessity of being good environmental stewards. Likewise, they are prompted to think of ways we need to work together as a community to best steer our canoe in a pono or right direction.