Kahua Paa Mua

Kamehameha Schools Ulu Hou II Kaiaulu community grant. Program Measurers - selection of 4 DOE FFA program schools on Hawaii Island. Each school with participation from Teacher Kumu Kupunas 1 or 2 Cultural supporters with expertise in multi-cultural practices and 3-5 Haumana mentees students These participants were selected from the Agriculture Natural Sciences programs in the Dept. of Education System. Kohala High Kau High Hilo High and Keaau High. Each school would develop support for Aloha Aina the land with learning opportunities for Native Hawaiian Learners. Their projects would increase their connection to Hawaiian identity culture land and language to have a greater sense of kuleana responsibility for Hawaii. Their projects as a team would increase their awareness knowledge and skills across the forementioned outcomes.

Cooke Foundation - KAPA farm development. Operational support of ongoing projects on a 5 acre ag land to re-start a Natural Farming Learning Lab using methods previously established at our original Hoea NF Learning Lab farm at different location. Hoea Farm in July 2023 was being sold - KPM had to move out and downsize all animals and stop crop production to move. This was a setback for the projects in place however we were able to move to an already 5 acre parcel where we had a Certified IMU being used and a three pen swine breeding program. Fencing irrigation and land prep had to be installed before crop production can begin.

Dorrance Foundation - Ho'okahua Ai HA mentorship program. Education and hands on technical mentorship in all aspects of agriculture related programs offered on our farm. Students ages 13 to 18 and returning students from college or higher education are PT employed as casual farm labor. There are not on a regular daily schedule but being compensated as labor to care for animals crop production and participate in any farm group visits and projects on the developing KAPA farm. Students will come in afterschool holidays or weekends when their schedule permits. Summer interns are hired for summer help. The returning interns are familiar with farm operations and will do care of animals: swine chickens sheep rabbit and cattle horse care. Crop maintenance assist in weeding planting harvest and packing of vegetables. Land clearing and prep for projects may include building and construction fencing and irrigation. All participants are mentored by experience adults we encourage ohana family participation in all our projects as volunteers. We are an organic farm using Korean Natural Farming methodologies.