Mālama Oʻahu: Caring for Oʻahu, with Papahana Kuaola

For thousands of years, Hawaiians lived sustainably within mountain-to-sea land divisions known as ahupuaʻa, where they farmed, fished, and responsibly stewarded their natural resources.

You can help mālama (care for) the ancient ahupuaʻa through voluntourism activities that will connect you more deeply with the island and enrich your vacation experience. .

On the forested slopes of the Koʻolau Mountains, nonprofit Papahana Kuaola is a community farm that’s as much a seed bank and living botanical garden. Here, Rick Barboza and his team draw on the roots of Hawaiian culture to connect visitors and volunteers with the ʻāina (the land) by working in a traditional loʻi kalo (taro patch).

Volunteers learn about taking care of the land that in turn nurtures the whole area. Volunteering at Papahana Kuaola is a lesson in bringing back the sustainable agriculture as practiced by the early Hawaiians for centuries. Visitors are welcome to volunteer in the loʻi kalo planting or harvesting kalo on Community Workdays that are currently the third and fourth Saturdays of the month. Learn more.