After returning from a very long year of college on the east coast, I was left feeling really overwhelmed and frustrated by many experiences at my university. I was also really nervous about returning home to so many people and places Iʻd known for so long and seeing them in a completely different light. Hoʻokuaʻāina offered me a place to be rooted in aloha ‘āina. It helped me connect with incredible people who all understand and respect our relationship to land and the importance of growing food, being self sustainable, and caring for the lives of plants and people alike who have nurtured us for so many generations.
This internship taught me about the importance of perseverance, hard work, community, and aloha ʻāina. When I was away at college, so many of my peers placed so much value in individualism. It was really inspiring to come home and see how much value our friends at Hoʻokuaʻāina placed in community. We are able to accomplish so much more when we work together and thatʻs a lesson I will carry with me forever.
