Have you ever heard of poi? Have you ever eaten it? The taro plant, which is what poi is made from, is super important in Hawaiian culture. If the kids like getting muddy (think: knee deep), this might be the adventure for you! Two wetland taro farms (called "loʻi" in Hawaiian) offer community volunteer days every month for anyone to come and learn how taro is farmed and why it’s so important. One farm is located at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai) and the other is located in Punaluʻu (Ka Papa Loʻi ʻo Punaluʻu).
Special notes: (1) You will need to fill out waiver forms for your kids; see the website for details. (2) If you go to Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai located at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, parking can be tricky: you can park on the street or in the large parking structure next to the Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge (for a fee); do not park elsewhere.
Video courtesy of Hawai‘inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. If the video does not load in the player, please click here.
Learning and Adventuring go hand and hand, which is why we've selected a few books to read before or after your adventure at Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai or Ka Papa Loʻi ʻo Punaluʻu.
No Ka Wai O Ka Puna Hou / The water of ka puna hou by 
Ohana Means Family by 
I Mea Aha Ke Kai? / What Is the Kai For? by 
The Water of Kane by 
Little Malia's Big Poi Idea by Learn, help, and have fun outside at two wetland taro farms during community volunteer days.
Ka Papa Loʻi O Kānewai is located in Honolulu at the University of Hawaiʻi; community days are every first Saturday and are open to everyone interested (kids & adults!) - see the website for updates and details.
Ka Papa Loʻi O Punaluʻu is located in Punaluʻu.; community days are third Saturdays during the school year and are open to everyone (kids & adults!) - see the website for updates and details.