Punalu’u is an area steeped in cultural significance, just minutes from Pacific Quest; some people even claim it may be the real site of the first Polynesian arrival to the island (most often thought to be Ka Lae, South Point). This area is the perfect backdrop in which to explore cultural and environmental issues, while …
Amy B Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens is a 15-acre stretch of land that was donated to the Bishop Museum by Amy Greenwell upon her death in 1974. Greenwell had been an avid archeologist and botanist who wanted to the community to have access to this rich land for generations to come. The Bishop Museum has since …
On Friday Jan 15th the group visited the Na’alehu Community Center to help the O Kau Kakou organization set up for the community free dinner. The group was very helpful in arranging tables for the 100 or so people they expected to attend the dinner. The center bustled with the activity of many people preparing …
The Kaiholena preserve of the Nature Conservancy is located mauka of our camps here on the Big Island. Today we had the opportunity to head up to this preserve where we helped the people who care for the native forest there move lumber to clear some work that will be happening to create a sleeping …
The malama group woke up bright and early today to head down to Punalu’u to lend our hand in helping to organize and set-up for the 2nd Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament. This is a community event that was taking place near Pacific Quest and offered a perfect opportunity for us to support both the people …
Our mission today was to help out with the Niaulani Forest Work Day. The four-acre forest at Niaulani is located in a remnant of old-growth rain forest dominated by tall, large-diameter ‘ohi’a trees, some over 65 feet tall. Many species of native plants populate the forest understory at Niaulani, including the rare meu tree fern. …
Last Saturday the Ohana group participated in a community service project at Punaluu Beach Park. Punaluu is one of the largest black sand beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii and is located about 30 minutes from the PQ campus. It is most famously known for the green sea turtles that come to rest and …
The second Saturday of every month Pacific Quest puts on their work gloves and heads off the farm over to the Naohuleua Historical Garden. Students volunteer to work with Ka’u Main Street in an effort to keep the native garden blooming. Ka’u Main street is a Non-profit organization that was formed in 1991 to protect …
Today the Ohana went to the Volcano Art Center (VAC). The VAC is a nonprofit educational organization located in and around Hawaii Volcano National Park. Their mission is to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawaii’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts. The Ohana had …
By Travis Slagle, Horticulture Therapy Director To love the land is the oldest and most essential way of life in Hawaii. The people who care deeply for the land know what it means to be “pono” (to have integrity); they respect the ancestors by continuing their work, by planting the seeds, cultivating the “kalo” (taro), …