Kaluaopalena Community Garden is about to be transformed. KKV’s Roots program oversees the garden for a range of land-based healing activities. Kaʻiulani Odom, Roots Director says, "We are really excited to be able to expand our capacity to host community groups at Kaluaopalena in a structure that is comfortable and inviting and shields people from the elements." In typical KKV style, Roots reached out to the community for support and was overwhelmed by the response.

Roots has long cared for Kaluaopalena located in The Towers at Kūhio Park public housing as a teaching garden where keiki learn about cultural foods and nutrition by getting their hands dirty. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaluaopalena has also become an important outdoor health site for KKV’s Family Strengthening and Nutrition programs. Parenting classes and diabetes education become more intimate and comfortable within the garden space. Patients can relax and engage in gardening activities. 

Still, the pandemic saw Kaluaopalena become a little neglected as Roots lacked the staffing to be on-site daily to care for the garden beds. This is all changing and Roots recently hired JohnMark Angei to care for the garden. Kaluaopalena is about to get a full makeover with the construction of the shade structure. In addition to the wood-framed building inspired by Pacific Islander canoe houses, there will be a shed and toilet; new raised beds will be built and the garden will be thoroughly replanted with cultural food and medicinal plants. 

KKV sought support for the new shade structure from funders who had not previously supported the Roots program. Lowe’s funds community projects across the nation. This is the first project in the State of Hawaiʻi. Roots will kick off the rejuvenation of Kaluaopalena with a “Red-shirt” volunteer day with Lowe’s employees this fall.  

KKV also approached members of The Hawaiʻi Dermatological Society asking for assistance to protect youth and adults from exposure to the sun. Many in Hawaiʻi don’t use sunscreen regularly and the members responded enthusiastically. 

KKV is also grateful to the two other funders who are making the shade structure possible: Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. From the Hawaiʻi Dermatological Society, individual donors include Dr. Patrick Ellison & John Boyer, Dr. Douglas Johnson, Andrew and Jennifer Fong Giving Fund, Dr. Iris Noh, Dr Ryan Sato, Dr. Mika Yamazaki, Dr. Sarah Beaton, and Kids Garden.