Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation

Kokua Hawaii Foundation School Programs

‘AINA In Schools 
Launched in 2006, ‘AINA in Schools is a farm to school initiative dedicated to connecting children to their land, waters and food to grow a healthier Hawai’i. Our mission is to “Actively Integrate Nutrition and Agriculture In Schools". In addition to encouraging the use of locally grown fruits and vegetables in school meals and snacks, the program includes standards-based nutrition, garden and compost curricula that empower children to grow their own food, make informed food decisions, and reduce waste. 'AINA In Schools also provides field trips to local farms, chef cooking demonstraions in classrooms, as well as waste reduction, garden and cooking educational opportunities for families and community members.

3R's School Recycling Program
With in-class recycling and school-wide collection led by student councils and service clubs, this hands-on program empowers students to engage and educate their school community about the 3R’s:  reducing, reusing, and recycling.  The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation provides educational resources, recycling bins, and program support for participating schools and partners with local recycling companies to achieve the schools waste reduction and fundraising goals through the 'Aloha Aina Recycling Drives.

Kokua Hawaii Foundation Mini-Grants
Teachers from Hawai’i public schools can apply for mini-grants to help advance their environmental education goals. Previous grantees have used KHF funds for garden supplies, eco-footprint workshops, vermicompost trainings, and more. One school has raised enough worms to start a commercial-scale vermicomposting bin for their campus food waste!

Kokua Hawaii Foundation Field Trips Our field trip assistance program helps bring students to outdoor sites where they can experience hands-on learning about Hawai’i's environment. The Kokua Hawai’i Foundation offers financial assistance to Hawai’i public schools which otherwise could not afford to participate in environmental field trips.

Plastic Free Hawai'i  Provides resources, tools and trainings to educate schools, community members, and business owners on the environmental and health benefits of going plastic free in order to minimize the consumption and pollution of single-use plastics in our islands.The program supports communities and schools in coordinating beach cleanups, film screenings, and docent trainings to deliver Plastic Free Hawaii educational presentations.

The Kokua Hawai'i Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, supports environmental education in the schools and communities of Hawai'i.

 The Foundation's mission is to provide students with experiences that will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of their environment so they will be lifelong stewards of the earth.

We support hands-on learning activities that engage their senses and make lasting impressions on children’s minds. We believe our keiki are the seeds of change to preserving and protecting our beautiful islands.