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Lani Ko Luna
Living Laboratory
The resources available to the He Lani Ko Luna Community Based Learning Center are Living Laboratories where mauli ola Hawai‘i education can occur. The land, water and tool resources were developed under previous projects administered by ‘APL. Participants utilize sites and tools situated at two different honua, learning environments. Land based activities take place on the honua ‘āina. The land based activities are centered on the 10-acre māla, gardens, located at the Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u laboratory school at Kea‘au. The māla cultivates different species of traditional Hawaiian food, including kalo, ‘ulu, and ‘uala as well as utilitarian and ornamental plants. One green house at the site is dedicated to raising medicinal herbs. The hālau imu provides learners the tools to prepare and cook food in a traditional setting. ‘APL staff maintains and cares for the māla and also lead participants in hands-on activities.
Ocean related activities, honua kai, are conducted at Hilo One, Hilo Bay, and Kai Ula, the site of Richarson’s Beach Park, and focus on preparing learners for participating safely in coastal and ocean related activities. Ocean activities begin by training participants with basic water safety skills from our licensed staff. The use of the project’s paddling canoes, Huia and Hikanui, allow individuals the opportunity to learn to paddle together. Kea‘eloa is a 30-foot double hulled sailing canoe that can be used for beginning and intermediate coastal sailing activities. For older students and adults, the 57-foot double-hulled voyaging canoe Hōkūalaka‘i provides a more challenging experience through deep-water sailing.