Native plant project underway in Anahola

LIHUE — A nonprofit campground of the Anahola Hawaiian Homestead Association is sponsoring a youth program to grow native plants in beachfront lands at Anahola Bay.

The project was inspired by a successful Kumu Camp program teaching teenagers about traditional fishing, river stewardship and conservation activities funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“Culturally, malama aina is a huge kuleana of every individual — even if an individual doesn’t embrace that kuleana, it still exists,” said Robin Danner, a founder of the Kumu Camp. “The Native Planting project is one expression of that kuleana and an amazing learning experience to look back at our past and what plants once flourished on the lands where Kumu Camp exists today.”

About 25 yards of sandy beach that is part of the Kumu Camp parcel is sectioned off to protect the area from vehicles that drive on the beach daily. The nonprofit campground is responsible for stewardship of its land area, which extends to the high water mark. Youth groups will spend several months this year working planting varieties of native plants known to have once survived in the area.

Danner said it is not only a great project for the youth, but a reminder to everyone of how they can support the next generation to translate the words ‘malama aina’ into action.

“Talk is talk, but actually accomplishing malama aina is what it’s all about,” she said. “Kuleana is a powerful word — it’s really steeped in the need to act.”

The Native Planting Project is an outgrowth of a Kumu Camp partnership with the Kanuikapono Public Charter School that holds weekly high school classes about traditional fishing techniques and stewardship. Classes are held every Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m.

“Once the high school students complete their coursework on this project, they will spend a portion of the school year fostering a younger class in learning about traditional fishing and such,” said Ipo Kauhane, executive director of KPCS. “The partnership with Kumu Camp fits perfectly with the goals of the school, and the types of learning experiences we want to create for our students.”