Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation 'ĀINA in Schools Program

The ʻĀINA in Schools program, one of three initiatives housed in the non-profit Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, is a Farm to School program that connects children to their local land, waters, and food to grow a healthier Hawaiʻi. The program includes a K-6 curriculum with garden, nutrition, and composting education components. Led by volunteer docents from the parent and school community, ʻĀINA lessons occur on a monthly basis for a total of 8, hands-on lessons with fresh, and healthy taste tests accompanying most lessons. We currently serve 20 public and charter elementary schools at depth and support the state at large with mini-grant funding for farm field trips, nutrition education projects, and garden building. Additionally, we offer curriculum trainings on outer islands for teachers and volunteers to implement our curriculum.