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Adopt an Ahupua‘a

Gain knowledge about traditional Hawaiian use of land and water and understand why this knowledge is important today. Discover the unique ethno-botany of our islands. Learn about changes in land use over time and how they affect our environment. Work with local caretakers and stewards, students and faculty and learn what it is to mālama ‘āina, or take care of the land.

For more information download our brochure.

 

Who We Are

Adopt an Ahupua‘a is a service learning program organized and run by two instructors with the help of student coordinators and community partners.

 

What We Do

The Adopt an Ahupua‘a service-learning program integrates cultural, historic and environmental learning. We help with restoration, maintenance, documentation, and oral history collection.The program works with a number of community partners and sites. We aim to develop a “sense of place” by creating a fund of knowledge and practical experience. The Adopt an Ahupua‘a program is organized in two parallel tracks:

  • A series of mandatory/common projects, which also serve as training sessions. Family and friends are welcome to join us (unless otherwise stated).
  • Projects performed (a) individually or in groups - such as working with specific community groups or private organizations, individuals, or federal, state and city or county agencies to preserve and restore the environment of Hawaiʻi; or (b) through participation in optional activities organized or approved by the program coordinators.   

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Who Can Participate?

Open to students, family members, and friends. We often have visiting groups from other organizations or institutions from high and middle school student, teen clubs and summer fun programs to halfway houses and foreign university students.


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Where We Work

The individual/group projects address current community needs. Examples of our projects and service sites include the following:

  • Ala Wai Canal and Watershed
  • Bishop Museum
  • Diamond Head State Park/Peace Garden
  • One‘ula Limu Project
  • Foster Botanical Gardens
  • Hālawa Valley Heiau
  • Hanauma Bay
  • He‘eia Loko I‘a
  • Kahana Valley
  • Kaho‘olawe
  • Kaniakapupu, Nu‘uanu
  • Kapapa Lo‘i o Kanewai
  • Kawainui
  • KCC’s Native Plant Gardens
  • Keaiwa Heiau
  • Lyon Arboretum
  • Makiki Nature Center
  • Mākua Valley
  • Mokauea
  • Palehua
  • Palolo Valley
  • Ulupo
  • Waihe‘e Lo‘i
  • Waikalua Loko I‘a
  • Wawamalu Beach Park/Ka Iwi Shoreline

To get more information about these sites and to find driving directions, please visit our Sites page.


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To Learn More

For more information download the brochure and contact the faculty coordinators, Ulla Hasager, 956 4218, ulla@hawaii.edu; or the assistant coordinator, Tsehaitu Abye, 391 8353, tsehaitu@mac.com

 

 

 

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