The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu Student Organic Garden presents throughout the fall 2024 semester a variety of events, including a new “Māla Mentality” series of workshops, which are focused on providing students with opportunities to gather and de-stress.
This workshop series, held in collaboration with the Māpuna Lab, are intended to reduce stress and support mental health through ‘āina and art activities, said garden manager Tasia Yamamura. The “Māla Mentality” workshops are funded by the UH West O‘ahu Student Activity Fee Board and are open only to current UH West O‘ahu students.
The garden, or māla, and Hale Kūahuokalā, are located on campus adjacent to the Classroom (D) and Laboratory (E) buildings. Please contact tasiay@hawaii.edu to RSVP (no need to RSVP for Harvest Days) or for any other inquiries regarding the following events:
“Māla Mentality” Workshops
- Herbal Teas
12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Student Organic Garden/Hale Kūahuokalā
This workshop will focus on herbs and tea-centered rituals that can have calming effects to support mental health. Participants will get to make-and-take their own tea blends. - Lei Bar
12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Nāulu Center
Gather and learn about lei-making, particularly the kui style — stringing the flowers together. There will be an array of plant material to choose from and participants can use their creativity to make a lei of their own. The hope is that participants are able to de-stress by slowing down, learning a new skill, being surrounded by natural beauty, and connecting with others in our campus community while doing so. Organizers also hope to empower participants to gather plant material and make their own lei for graduations and other special events. - Plant Stamps and Floral Bouquets
12:30 to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at the Student Organic Garden/Hale Kūahuokalā
During this workshop, which is meant to tend to students’ mental health through art and ‘āina, students will be invited to harvest flowers from the māla and create their own bouquets to take home. There will also be some plant material for stamping/decorating cardstock, as well as watercolors (in calming hues) to paint the cardstock. The goal is for students to be able to spend some time in the māla, appreciating the beauty of flowers and slowing down while doing creative activities.
Harvest Days
10 a.m. to noon every Friday (when the campus is open) at the Student Organic Garden
Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to explore the māla and harvest available produce each week. Participants should bring a reusable water bottle, use sun protection, and wear close-toed shoes.
Community Workdays
8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays Sept. 7, Oct. 5, and Nov. 2 at the Student Organic Garden/Hale Kūahuokalā
These hands-on workdays, held on the first Saturdays throughout the fall semester, are an opportunity to mālama ‘āina on campus and to learn more about growing food, lei, and native plants.
Yamamura said activities depend on the number of participants and what is needed that day, but generally can include compost-building, sheet-mulching, planting, weeding, and seed-saving. The workdays also allow organizers to share more about the food systems program, garden programming, and mālama ‘āina/kino.
The garden community workdays are open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Participants should bring reusable water bottles, use sun protection, and wear close-toed shoes.
‘Āina-to-‘Ōpū Workshop: Ku‘i Kalo
Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Hale Kūahuokalā
This workshop follows the Nov. 2 community workday; sign up for both! Celebrate the start of makahiki season by pounding kalo into pa‘i‘ai and poi. The purpose of this demonstration is to create a gathering space around food, particularly kalo as a sacred plant and cultural staple. The event is also a chance for organizers to share more about the food systems program and garden programming, as well as to share huli and mo‘olelo.