Volunteer

The following school gardens have expressly requested volunteers for the 2011–2012 school year. Please contact the individual listed for more details or to sign up:

Hualalai Academy
Contact: Stephen Velonza.
Hualalai Academy is located near Kona. This private school recently experienced a setback when neighboring cows wandered onto the campus during the summer and wreaked havoc on the school’s beautiful gardens. They would greatly appreciate volunteer assistance to help with restoration of the gardens, as well as ongoing maintenance.

Hōnaunau Elementary School
Contact: Melissa Chivers.
The Hōnaunau School Garden enables students to have hands-on science experiences while teaching skills for life. Students attend weekly resource classes with a garden coordinator. The best time for volunteers who want to work directly with students is between the hours of 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. daily. The school also welcomes volunteers who are interested in garden maintenance or participating in garden work days.

Laupāhoehoe School
Contact: Ellen Jacobs.
Laupāhoehoe School is located on the Hāmākua Coast and offers a K–12 program in their school garden. The school has a citrus orchard and banana trees, and students also help to raise catfish. Volunteers are welcome either during class time or by arrangement on weekends.

Kona Pacific Public Charter School
Contact: Ben Publico.
Kona Pacific Public Charter School is located in South Kona. Kona Pacific’s agriculture program is one of three streams in their curriculum. The school’s 6,000 square-foot garden serves 160 students two times per week.

Pa‘auilo Elementary & Intermediate School
Contact: Donna Mitts.
Pa‘auilo School is located on the Hāmākua Coast. Volunteers are welcome during garden class time, Mondays through Wednesdays, from noon to 2:00 p.m., or after school and weekends for general maintenance and special projects.

Ha‘aheo Elementary School
Contact: Leandra Keuma at 974-4111 or Diane Mahoney at 333-9279.
This school wants to start gardening again and is looking for volunteers to help get their garden weeded and ready for use on a smaller scale. Volunteers with basic organic gardening skills are preferred. Help leading garden activities with students during and after school would be greatly appreciated.