After taking home my tomato plants, I'm worried about the safety of them because I'm worried that I won't be able to keep them alive. Although I did a lot of research on taking care of tomato plants, I'm worried I'll get easily distracted and forget about them. Hopefully if I keep a positive attitude and I water my tomatoes everyday, they will be successful throughout this quarter. Since my plants are still young they're still very fragile, meaning they could be easily damaged by harsh winds, excessive water, or the neighborhood cats that wander into my garden. I'm also worried because I've never taken care of a plant before and have very little experience with gardening, so this whole process is very new to me. Hopefully I've put in enough research on gardening to have successful and healthy tomato plants.
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After learning about the importance of food sovereignty, we were challenged to eat an entire meal filled with locally sourced ingredients. This meant no McDonald's or Genki Sushi. I luckily didn't struggle too much on this challenge, as my parents are always shopping at farmers markets for groceries. My mom had seen a recipe for zucchini lasagna on Facebook and decided to make it, and so we headed to the farmers market in Windward Mall and bought all the ingredients necessary. Although I wasn't expecting much from pasta made out of zucchini's, it tasted really good, and I felt that I contributed to various local farmers.
After visiting the CTAHR Waimanalo Research Center, I was able to learn various ways of living sustainably and organically. The Waimanalo Research Center had a section designated for organically grown plants, meaning none were treated by chemicals such as pesticides or GMOs. We saw various crops as well as an aquaponics system, which were both examples of sustainability. Other than just food plants, the Waimanalo Research Center had an entire section dedicated to flowers because "flowers are the food for the soul." Despite getting bit by a lot of mosquitoes, I had a lot of fun getting to walk around the CTAHR Center and getting to see something that Iʻm not used to seeing everyday.
Through the first quarter of Mālama Honua, I was able to gain a deeper connection to my Hawaiian culture and to the land. Iʻve learned a lot about how important it is to have a sense of place, especially throughout the research I did for the Ku‘u Aloha Aina project. Throughout the past months, Iʻve also learned to be more observant of everything around me because I feel I have gained a deeper connection to the land. Before this course, I never had any gardening experience, but now I feel more comfortable with it. I hope I will be able to learn more about my culture as well as the land as the year continues on.
The reading Walaka written by Walaka Kanamu explains the lack of connection we have with the land. Our native Hawaiian ancestors had a deep connection with the land, as they spent every moment in nature. Walaka calls us out claiming that we canʻt call ourselves "Hawaiian" because we lack this connection that our ancestors once had. We donʻt spend time listening to the noises in nature, and most of the food we eat is bought from stores rather than grown on our own. Our ancestors understood every aspect of the earth, and they cared for the land as the land cared for them. Walaka inspires me to regain this connection with the earth and begin to spend more time in nature as my kupuna have.
Prior to learning about the Mokauea islands in class, I had no knowledge of these fishponds in the Kapālama ahupua‘a. I think it's interesting to learn that there are these islands in the area that I go to every day, and I had no idea they existed. The only fishpond that I've ever visited was He‘eia, so I am interested in seeing the fishpond in Mokauea to see what is different and what is similar.
After learning the history of Mokauea, I was able to see its cultural importance to Hawaiians, especially after learning of many legends surrounding the Mokauea area. Visiting this area is important because many people are unaware of Mokauea, meaning the stories and historical things that happened there could be forgotten. Seeing this fishpond will help grow my knowledge of Hawaiian culture as well as gain more knowledge on the ahupua‘a of Kapālama. In Hawaiian culture, land was always the most valuable thing. While modern scientists work in labs, working with chemicals and test tubes, Hawaiian scientists are those who understand the Earth. Mālama ‘Āina is the focus of Hawaiian science, as it is important to understand the land in order to maintain the land that can be used for resources. Just like modern science, observation is valuable to gain information, such as when to plant certain crops or when to fish based on the moon and stars. Native Hawaiians were true scientists, as they were highly observant. With the ability to purely navigate based on the stars, Hawaiians were able to travel among miles of sea due to their understanding of the ocean. Overall, Hawaiian scientists work towards creating a sustainable future. This is achieved through careful observation that allows Hawaiian scientists to understand the way the Earth works and to preserve the natural resources that the Earth provides for us.
In the month of August 2018, a category five hurricane was predicted to hit the Hawaiian island chain. Hurricane Lane left many families lining up outside Costco to stock up their homes with water and food, and many hit the gas stations to fill up their cars with gas.
Since I had never experienced a hurricane, I was interested in what it would be like. By the time Hurricane Lane had reached the island of ‘Oahu, the once category five hurricane became downgraded to a tropical storm. The most drastic weather conditions near my house in Kunia was on and off rains and occasional strong winds. Although we had been expecting a hurricane, there were times where I woke up and looked out my window to see the sun and a clear blue sky. The wood that my parents had bought to board up my windows were left unused and we were left with a refrigerator overflowing with water bottles. Mālama Honua by Hawaiian definition is to take care of the Earth, but what is its significance to me? I find that it is important to do my responsibility in taking care of the Earth because how can I expect others to care for the land, when I don’t put in the effort as well.
Throughout my life in school, I had always learned about my kuleana to mālama the land, but I never really took the words to heart. One day my grandmother and I had went to Ala Moana to get some last-minute Christmas gifts. Throughout the car ride there, she would constantly mention how different town had looked before. None of the immensely tall buildings that I’m so used to seeing today were present in my grandmother’s time. Along with the lack of buildings were the lack of litter and pollution covering the streets. This is where my journey of appreciation for the Earth began. I realized that if we continued to pollute the Earth, it would no longer live in paradise. Although I can’t control the lives of everyone, I can control my own, and I have my own responsibility to take care of the Earth. Although I am only one person, I hope to slowly make a difference in the health of the Earth. |
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