Homesteaders Plant Native Trees at Panaʻewa Zoo
Posted on Jun 5, 2013 in Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Media Releases
HILO, HAWAIʻI – Ten Hawaiian homesteaders were among a group of East Hawaiʻi leaders planting native Hawaiian trees at the Panaʻewa Zoo last month.
The planting project aimed to increase awareness of the cultural legacy tied to our native Hawaiian plants, and as a result, strengthen community pride and inspire future generations to mālama ʻāina.
The Panaʻewa Zoo offered a place where native plants could be appreciated by both kamaʻāina and malihini alike.
The community project was the culmination of leadership training these community leaders received through the Ford Institute Leadership Program (FILP). Over the course of four months, participants covered courses in leadership development, effective organization, and community collaboration.
Congratulations to our Hawaiian homestead leaders and FILP graduates!
Representing the Makuʻu Farmers Association were Pua Fernandez, Shirley Pedro, and Danielle Tejada. Mele Spencer represented the Keaukaha-Panaʻewa Farmers Association. Patlynn Kaui and Donna Madrid represented the Panaʻewa Hawaiian Home Lands Community Association. Donna & Jeffrey Kekoa represented the Kaʻū Community Association. Our Piʻihonua Community Association was represented by Doreen & China Kodani.
This is the first time FILP was offered on Hawaiʻi Island through a partnership between FILP and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in collaboration with the County of Hawaiʻi – Department of Research and Development, Hawaiʻi Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development, Harold K. L. Castle Foundation, Hiʻilei Aloha LLC, The Atherton Family Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development, and the Waimānalo Community Association.