School gardens around Hawaii Island are in full bloom, and students and teachers at several school gardens are opening their gates for tours and tastings. On these tours, the public can enjoy produce grown and prepared by students, teachers and
School gardens around Hawaii Island are in full bloom, and students and teachers at several school gardens are opening their gates for tours and tastings. On these tours, the public can enjoy produce grown and prepared by students, teachers and volunteers, and see how food self-reliance is growing in our communities.
The tours will be April 14, 21 and 28, and are hosted by The Kohala Center, a local nonprofit with an emphasis on education, environment, and empowerment. Lunch is offered on some of the tours.
School garden coordinators and, in some cases, the students will be leading these free, hour-long tours to showcase their produce and knowledge of cultivating food. No reservations are required.
From 9 to 10 a.m. April 14, Hualalai Academy will host a tour. The same day, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., a tour will be held at Innovations Public Charter School. Tours will also be held from 9 to 10 a.m. at Honokaa High School, from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. at Paauilo Elementary and Intermediate School, and from 11:15 a.m. t0 12:15 p.m. at Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School.
Tours on April 21 include one from 9 to 10 a.m. at Honaunau Elementary School. Kona Pacific Public Charter School hosts a tour from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A tour is scheduled from 12 to 1 p.m. at Hua O Ke Ao at Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden followed by lunch from 1 to 2 p.m.
Two tours will be held in Waimea on April 28. One will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Waimea Country School. The other is planned from 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by lunch from 12 to 1p.m., at the Malaai Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School.
Lunches cost $15 per person, but are free for members of The Kohala Center Circle of Friends and a guest. For lunch reservations, contact Cortney Hoffman at choffman@kohalacenter.org or 887-6411. Space is limited.
A complete list with dates and descriptions of the tours is available at kohalacenter.org/TKCMemberEvents12/about.html. To learn more about becoming a Kohala Center Circle of Friends member, visit kohalacenter.org/signmeup.html or call 887-6411.
