The Kohala Center’s Ōhāhā intersession programs help high school students deepen kinship with ‘āina and local agriculture through ‘ike that will also help them flourish in life.
About the Program
Upcoming Sessions
Transportation Services
Program Schedule(subject to change)
How to Apply
About the Program
In our five-day program, participants will have opportunities to:
Receive ‘ike kūpuna (the knowledge of elders) to become mahiʻai (farmers)
- Learn directly from kūpuna
- Learn moʻolelo (oral histories) and moʻokūʻauhau (family history center) and visit wahi pana (sacred places) and ahupuaʻa (traditional Hawaiian mountain-to-sea land divisions)
- Learn about lāʻau lapaʻau (medicinal plants)
Solidify foundations of Hawaiian identity
- Learn and engage with a broad range of Hawaiian cultural practices and use of Hawaiian language
- Kūkākūkā (discussions) about fulfilling kuleana to ʻāina (that which sustains us), ʻohana (family), and lāhui (community)
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) exposure at all times in the māla (garden, cultivated field)
- Hāna (work) with Hāloanakalaukapalili (taro) and mea kanu Hawaiʻi (native plants)
- Kuʻi kalo (pound poi), kūkū kapa (beat kapa), and imu (underground oven)
Deepen kinship with ‘āina and Hawaiian wisdom
- Pō mahina (moon phases) and kilo (environmental observation)
- Importance of protocol, oli (chants), ʻai pono (Hawaiian foods), and laulima (cooperation, working together)
- Service learning with aloha ʻāina groups
Learn about sustainable agricultural practices
- Hands-on composting activity
- Traditional means of making beneficial microorganisms out of ʻilikana kalo (taro corm)
- Bridging ʻike kūpuna with Western science and technology
- Presentation and hands-on activities in agroforestry and the Hawaiian food forest
- Visit and work in a loko iʻa (Hawaiian fishpond)
Explore career pathways
- Career pathway counseling by Derrick Kiyabu from GoFarm Hawaiʻi (throughout the first day’s activities)
- Cultural identity: Navigating career pathways in the 21st century
- Exposure to numerous career opportunities through huakaʻi (visits) to Kaunamano Farms and Kuahewa
- UH Hilo Panaʻewa Farm site visit with current students in the Hawai‘i Community College agriculture program
Receive a gift card valued at up to $125!
- Participants must attend and complete all five days to receive the maximum amount ($125).
Upcoming sessions
Programs run weekdays during public school intersessions from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with most days starting and ending at our Demonstration Farm in Honoka‘a.
- Summer 2019: June 10–14
- Summer 2019: July 8–12
How to Apply
Download and complete a Program Application or contact The Kohala Center at 808-887-6411 to request one. Submit completed applications:
Via email to krunnels@kohalacenter.org
Via fax to 808-885-6707
Via mail to:
The Kohala Center
attn: Ka‘iana Runnels
PO Box 437462
Kamuela, HI 96743
Applications must be received no later than the Thursday before the start of the program.
For more information, please contact Ka‘iana Runnels at krunnels@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411.
