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Sustainable Farming Through ʻAhupuaʻa Restoration

Youth groups from around the world join us in a remote valley of West Maui’s mountain rain forest to get hands-on experience with traditional taro and fish farming practices.

Volunteers visit Uncle Oliver and Aunty Valerie Dukelowʻs remote, off-the-grid farm where they practice traditional management and land-use practices based in Hawaiian values.  Their work to raise fish in the taro patches (loʻi) for food helps to reduce fishing pressure on reef fish species.  This rich experience is offered as a component of a larger perspective on the ʻahupuaʻa land management concept of Hawaiʻi, and the interconnectedness from mountain to sea (mauka to makai). Visiting the farm is usually offered as a service and cultural immersion experience that includes several Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund programs. Organized groups must schedule well in advance of the desired visitation dates.

This program is an important component of our Youth Outreach Project on Maui. We partner with Bluecology to coordinate youth program development, organize high school and older youth to work at the Kahakuloa Valley farm. Students also learn about our marine ecosystems and sea turtle ecology and protection.  Youth community service and travel groups must coordinate with Bluecology, a nonprofit marine education and outreach organization.

ʻAhupuaʻa Restoration

Photo credit for all images on this page: Anthony Moreno