Community work day at Kokua Kalihi Valley
Community members today participated in Kokua Kalihi Valley's (KKV) Ho`oulu `Aina program, which included removing invasive bamboo, enjoying the trails in the forest reserve and exploring the plants in the cultural gardens. KKV leases the 100 acres of state park land for exercise, cultural practices and community gardening in the back of Kalihi Valley. The park consists of traditional agricultural areas, archeological sites, natural springs and the remains of a native Koa mesic forest.
The event was sponsored by KKV and the Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. It allowed community members to engage in the revitalization of a natural resource, which offers healthy spiritual and physical activity, native reforestation, local food production, and a wide diversity of hands-on educational opportunities.
The name, Ho`oulu `Aina, means to grow land as well as to grow because of the land. It perpetuates the value that the health of the land and the health of the people are one. The four goals of the program are:
• Koa `Aina (native reforestation)
• Mahi `Aina (gardening and local food production)
• Lohe `Aina (listening to the land and cultural preservation)
• Hoa `Aina (providing safe and meaningful access for the community)
