Stanford students literally reap the benefits: Learn about the Hawaiian culture, aina during 11-week field course on Hawaii Island

Three gardens sit on the 1,200-acre educational farm near Hawi that’s open to students and adults for special visits. (LANDRY FULLER/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY)

Teacher’s assistant Michael Burnett explains how the measurement of water fall effects the varying size of sweet potatoes growing on vines in his experiment. (LANDRY FULLER/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY)

Stanford students spend a day harvesting uala in the garden as part of their 11-week field study course. (LANDRY FULLER/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY)

Professor Peter Vitousek, born and raised on Hawaii Island, speaks with his students in a garden at Ulu Mau Puanui. (LANDRY FULLER/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY)

NORTH KOHALA — For the past eight years, 20 or so Stanford University students have headed to the Big Island every other fall to spend a quarter learning about traditional Hawaiian crops, aina and culture.