The Fortunate Foodie: Volunteer at These Nonprofit Kalo Farms in He‘eia

Photo: Maria Burke

Y ou’ve had poi, and maybe its firm, undiluted form, pa‘i‘ai. Perhaps you’ve even pounded steamed kalo to make the sweet, fragrant dish. But have you ever stood thigh-deep in a kalo patch, working with your hands to cultivate the canoe crop? For most of us, the answer is no.

O‘ahu’s small non-profit farms need helping hands. Here are two opportunities that I’ve enjoyed in the ahupu‘a‘a of He‘eia to make new friends and work—hard.

Photo: Mel Tjoeng

Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi

From traditional times until the 1930s, Heʻeia was one of O‘ahu’s biggest kalo producing centers. These wetlands supported over 300 acres of kalo and three poi mills, which in turn supported the communities of Heʻeia and Kāneʻohe.

SEE ALSO: Kāne‘ohe’s New Poke Shop Has More than 20 Varieties Daily

After opposition from local kūpuna and grassroots community organizations in the 1980s defeated plans to turn a vast swath of He‘eia wetlands acres into a luxury marina community complete with resorts and a golf course, Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi was granted a 38-year lease to support cultural preservation activities, agriculture, natural-resource restoration management and education on the site. Since 2010 the nonprofit has restored about six irrigated acres to kalo production and cleared 20 more acres for mala (dryland) farming of u‘ala, ‘ulu and other crops. In a new commercial kitchen, kalo is made into fresh poi for sale to the public. Plans call for products made from other commercial crops to help support operations. Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi also offers whole lamb butchery workshops in collaboration with the Local General Store, featuring lambs raised at Kualoa Ranch.

Community Workday Opportunities

Due to COVID-19 measures, community workdays are limited to 30 people.

A homemade dish of fresh poi, pa‘i‘ai and toasted macadamia nuts, made with Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi’s harvest. Photo: Maria Burke

Saturday Lo‘i Workdays

First Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Tasks include weeding and maintenance work on lo‘i and auwai. Get ready to get dirty and work that back!

Monday, Tuesday and Friday Lo‘i Workdays

Lo‘i workdays run from 9 a.m. to noon. Tasks include planting and harvesting kalo.

Tuesday Wetland Workdays

Wetland restoration workdays are every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Tasks include removing invasive plants, out-planting native plant species, and clearing waterways.

SEE ALSO: For the Fortunate Foodie: 4 Ways to Give Back on O‘ahu This Holiday Season

What to bring:

• Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty in—really dirty (see my photo above).
• Sun protection—not just sunscreen, but a long-sleeve rashguard type shirt.
• Water. Must stay hydrated! Pro tip: If you get hungry often, bring a few pieces of fruit or snacks that you can quickly eat.
• Optional: Hat, towel, change of clothes. There is a shower for you to use after you finish.

View the workday calendar and sign up here.

46-406 Kamehameha Hwy, (808) 741-3403, kakoooiwi.org, @kakoooiwi

Photo: Maria Burke

Papahana Kuaola

Further mauka in the nook of Ha‘ikū valley in the same ahupu‘a‘a of He‘eia is Waipao, where Papahana Kuaola is located. Waipao means water that scoops, gouges or chisels and refers to the many springs and streams that cut across the land. Papahana Kuaola was established in 2006 by the people who started native plant nursery Hui Kū Maoli Ola, as a cultural educational hub to support growing interest in native Hawaiian and Polynesian plants. Papahana Kuaola’s 63 acres, once an illegal dumping ground for old tires and vehicles overrun with invasive plants, are now given over to cultivating and preserving native plant species. On this land the culturally significant spring Ha‘akolea has been restored, returning wildlife to its waters. Washing off in the stream after volunteering is definitely something to look forward to. The lo‘i here is used as a seed bank for native Hawaiian kalo varieties. In all, 50 lo‘i preserve about 45 of the 75 varieties found today.

SEE ALSO: Farmers Market Finds: Kailua’s Chill Lokahi Market

Community Workday Opportunities

Limited to 25 people, community workdays are every third and fourth Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Tasks include planting and harvesting kalo in the lo‘i as well as weeding and clearing plots of high ground.

46-403 Haiku Road, papahanakuaola.org, @papahanakualoa

Photo: Maria Burke

So maybe the next time you have friends or family coming in from out of town, ask if they’d be willing to get dirty, have some fun and work the land. Or if you’ve ever wanted to experience traditional native farming or wondered how to engage with the ‘āina, sign up for a work day. It’s hard work, but if can, challenge yourself to stay until the work day is over. I promise it will change how you feel about traffic or the latte you spilled that morning. And it will definitely make that poi taste sweeter.