Uchida Coffee Farm

As a class, we took a trip to Ucida's Coffee Farm in Captain Cook. I really enjoyed taking a step back in time and observing how a working coffee farm worked in years past. I teach a class called "Eat Local" which focuses on sustainability and this farm is an excellent example of that philosophy. Every part of the farm had a purpose and every material was used, for instance the old coffee tree branches were used to create fire in their wood stoves. Another example was the fantastic gardens on the farm grounds, there were huge green onions, lettuce, basil and tomatoes. There were also many varieties of fruit trees. I am inspired by places like Ucida's Coffee Farm and I know my students would be too, it takes us back to a time where you wouldn't go to the supermarket for all of your needs, you could just go outside. I started a garden in my backyard and I hope to inspire that with my own students.

Place-Based Class Lesson (Student Work)

The hunting lodge makes me think of a book called Hattie Big Sky. Which is about  girl living on a homestead. The shack she has for living space is about as big and as clean as the hunting lodge we visited today.

The trees and ferns make me think of a rain forest or another, like when the dinosaurs lived. Even though I lived here forever, we think of Hawaii as a place of sand and palm trees, not so much a a rain forest, with birds and moss.

Place-Based Class Lesson (Student Work)

Kaloko

Everywhere I look I see wisdom

Wisdom in the trees that have been here for years

They have seen and experienced much more than we could imagine

The cherp of the crickets and melodies of the birds

You feel safe, surrounded by peace and sunlight

There's nothing like the damp ground

Mud making sounds beneath your feet

It reminds you of when you were little

Playing in the rain, the cold air on your face

Getting mud all over yourself without a worry in the world

The amount of joy is unfathomable

Within this calm, soothing escape lays a small cabin

Withholding dozens of secrets and memories, deep beneath the cabin's floor

There's just something about it

Thoughts in your head making you wonder who? Why? And When?

Place-Based Class Lesson (Student Work)

 Kaloko Trip

This environment is very unique in many ways. It reminds me of the past my childhood mostly. The forest reminds of my childhood because it was as simple as a box of crayons. In many ways the forest is like a box of crayons. It reminds me of one of those giant packs of crayons, that everyone wanted. The forest has amazing beauty just like a box of crayons can create. The forest also had a lot sounds like the rustle of leaves, the call of birds. Its something you don't find everyday life, but if you live in Hawaii its something you do find everyday.

Pahala Podcast/Video

This is my first shot at a podcast/video, I used iMovie. I enjoyed learning the program and process. The quality is rough but with time it should improve.

Pahala

What a day! I'd like to thank Ann, Jeannine and Jan for setting up a very interesting yet unexpected day. I've driven by Pahala dozens of times without much notice but now I have a new found appreciation for this tiny town. My favorite part of the day was visiting the radio station. The fact that it is a community run station in a former dentists office located next to the old theater was interesting to me. When my wife's family (from Oahu) comes to visit I will be sure to take them around town, they are fascinated with the Big Island and how it is still relatively untouched, I enjoy seeing a glimpse into Hawaii's past.

I also enjoyed learning about the town's coffee and sugar past and local history. I have decided to try the podcast (my first, I hope it works) on the history of Pahala.

Here a few highlights:

• 1910: C. Brewer takes over W. G. Irwin and Company, which owned Hutchinson.
• 1922: Volcano Golf Course opens, the first in Hawai`i.
• 1982: Kilauea Caldera erupts for 24 hours
• More to come...

source: pahala-hawaii.com

Labels

We as humans love labels eg. republican, democrat, etc. Parents and educators are no exception, schools now a days may be considered "green" "charter" or "private" and teachers may consider their curriculum to be "place-based" or "project-based." I believe when we as teachers "label" ourselves, we are opening some doors yet closing others. Labels are simple, in-the-box, sometimes dangerous and very easy for those with contrasting viewpoints to dismiss. The definition of a school is a constantly changing and evolving being, therefore educators must be open-minded, diverse and be able to use their knowledge and training similar to how and when a professional golfer selects the proper club.