SHARKS UNITED LEADS COMMUNITY WORKDAY PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

On March 1, 2025, Sharks United, along with a dedicated group of Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) student volunteers, participated in a Kōkua Learning Farm Community Workday at the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation in Haleʻiwa. This opportunity came by special invitation from the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to fostering environmental stewardship and sustainability in Hawai‘i.

Sharks United Co-Presidents Emma Stanley and Megan Ciluffo were particularly eager to collaborate with the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, as its mission aligns closely with their own values as educators and advocates for ʻāina-based learning. The foundation’s programs, such as Plastic Free Hawaiʻi, the 3Rs School Program, and ʻĀina In Schools, are designed to deepen keiki’s connection to the land and cultivate environmental responsibility. As elementary education professionals in Hawaiʻi, Stanley and Ciluffo share this commitment and strive to integrate similar values within their work at HPU. Sharks United itself is dedicated to enriching the student experience by fostering meaningful connections between HPU and the broader Oʻahu community, ensuring that students have the resources and support they need to thrive academically and personally.

During the Community Workday, Sharks United and the HPU volunteers engaged in Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation’s time-honored traditions to cultivate a sense of connection with both the land and one another. The day began with Pilina ʻĀina, a gathering in a circle where volunteers shared about themselves and built a sense of ʻohana before beginning their work. This was followed by the group chant, E Hō Mai, to focus collective energy on the tasks ahead.

Volunteers had the opportunity to work across five different locations on the farm, exploring a variety of hands-on experiences. HPU students engaged in activities such as learning about the vital role of honeybees, trimming pigeon pea, weeding around native plants in the Bioswale, caring for citrus trees in the Orchard, planting kalo in the Kalo Library, and harvesting vermicast in the Vermicast station. This immersive experience provided both practical agricultural knowledge and a deeper understanding of sustainable practices rooted in Hawaiian values.

Sharks United encourages all HPU students, faculty, and staff to take part in a Kōkua Learning Farm Community Workday at least once. It is a truly enriching experience that fosters personal growth, environmental stewardship, and a stronger sense of community within the islands.

For more information on how to get involved with Sharks United or the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, please visit their websites or follow their social media channels.

https://kokuahawaiifoundation.org/ and instagrams: @hpusharksunited //@kokuahawaiifoundation