Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2008 — Introduction: Survival 101 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Introduction: Survival 101

Howzit. It's an honor for my 'ohana and I to share our special project(s) eoneeming the development of our youth that is relative to lessons on selfreliance, sustainability and surviving these tough eeonomie times. Through the generous use of Kamehameha Schools land, Kalalau Ranch and Victory Gardens LLC along with Kalalau: Rediscovering the Ahupua'a Life System [with 501(c)(3) nonprofit Haola Ine. as fiscal sponsor] are dedicated to getting our youth and the schools they attend more involved in agriculture, animal scienee and aqua-science. The purpose of Kalalau Ranch and Victory Gardens (KRVG) is to (re)produce healthy and viable

diverse livestock, seed propagation and fingerlings. This stock will initially supply our youths with starters for their personal projects when developing those skills and knowledge in its relationship to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and its applieahon in the real world. Kalalau: Rediscovering the Ahupua'a Life System (KRALS) is based on how the ancient Hawaiians utilized their STEM skills and its applieahon to their enviromnent. As a society they were able to detennine seasons as it pertained to soil conditions and its variations, planting and harvesting, moon and sun and stars, tides and current conditions, also in accordance to planting (fishponds) and harvesting (shore and deep sea), including that of oeean travel. They were capable of surviving and existing in the middle of the Paeihe Oeean, thousands of miles away from any means of intemational support through sustainability of their own doing. With that, the Centers for Disability Studies, UH-Mānoa developed a "Science in Hawai'i" curriculmn for our students. While

several schools in the DOE and charter schools have adopted this sense of curriculmn "ag in the classroom" (that is, learning the basics in a classroom setting), we consider ourselves as being "hands-on" skill- and applieahonoriented. To organize our group of students, the Kalalau Ahupua'a 4-H Club (nicknamed "The Wanderers") was formed. The 4H's mission is focused on developing leadership, citizenship and life skills. By learning to work and grow together as catalysts for positive change, our 4-H youths are empowered to reach their full potential by working and learning in partnership with caring adults. Some of those caring adults eome from our veterans' coimnunity. This is basically the nuts and bolts of our 'ohana's project. When asked why are we going to such extremes for establishing this "humongous" project, I would

simply reply in a series of questions: "What if the ships were to quit coming ... how would you and your family survive? . . . what would you say when your kids or mo'opuna are crying out to you pleading - mommy, daddy, nana, papa ... I hungry ... please, I like fo' eat something? What you going do ... what would you say ... no mo'?" We're all faced with these possibilities. In fact, it's a reality; it's already here. There's more to this project than mentioned - there is a heek of a lot more. On Sept. 10 my sons Iames (Agriculture Project Manager) and Oiion (Animal Project Manager) along with myself and Hawai'i County Extension Agent and 4-H coordinator Ms. Becky Settlage will be taping a show at 'Olelo TV to appear on OHA's Ho 'oulu Lāhui Aloha program, whieh broadcasts on O'ahu on Channel 53 and online at olelo.org. This project series focuses primarily on what KRALS and the 4-H program and mentoring is about. Along with collaborative efforts from private and govermnent entities and regular folks, these tools will forge a creative developmental benefit in

both youths and adults - bringing prosperity and increased standard of living in the coimnunity they reside. Our goal is self-reliance and self-sustainability - the ability to survive in time of famine, war and disease and eeonomie hardship; without the need for drastic outside intervention. When viewing our series of "How to(s)" on surviving in these Islands, like raising small animals for protein, gardening on the lanai ' or backyard, raising fish in a tub, growing lettuce from a Clorox bottle, preparing and cooking it - your families will become closer as you learn and experience together. Hard times are here to stav. SiniDlv

stated, "Survive or Die." Death

should never be an option. Jeno Enoeeneio writes about the many hats he wears. Contact him at pointman Jeno@ msn.com. E

NA PĀPALE ■ MANY HATS

| By Jimmy F. "Jenū" Enneeneiū

E komo mai! The Enoeeneio 'Ohana invites everyone, from fhe mountain to the sea to learn how to survive in these beautiful islands

we ean nome. ricrurea are rne Enocencios and friends atop Mauna Kea on New Years Day 2008,

and pictured left with her pōpio, Miss Briahna Brooks. - Photos: Courtesy of Jeno Enoeeneio