Winter is approaching on Maui - It’s a great season to see returning humpback whales and for PLANTING TREES!
Thanks to the many donors who supported last year's La'au Ha'awi (“Plant Giving” in Hawaiian) fruit-tree planting project, most of the 700 fruit trees we planted on Maui are growing very well. Some papayas are already producing fruit after 10 months! (Please see the photos of the growth of trees in one year.)
The Rotary Clubs on Maui are launching another La'au Ha'awi fruit-tree planting project. Our focus will be on schools throughout the island. Eight schools have already signed up to plant fruit trees in early 2022! It is never too early for children to learn how fruit on trees are produced, and what trees can do to help our planet cope with climate change by creating shade, saving water, protecting soil, and sequestering CO2. They will also have an experience of sharing fruit from the garden with friends and neighbors.
Our partner non-profit organization, Grow Some Good (https://growsomegood.org) sends School Garden Coordinators to various schools and is experienced in giving opportunities to children to learn about growing food at school gardens.
Hawaii continues to rely heavily on imported food, and the price of food has been going up substantially recently. According to the Maui Food Bank, one in five children in Maui County is currently at risk of going hungry, which is a 62% increase in the last decade. This fruit-tree planting project, even though the impact may not be apparent for several years before all the trees start producing fruit, will contribute to children and families having healthy and productive lives and building communities.
Please donate to this year's Luau Ha'awi fruit-tree planting project. Several Rotary Clubs on Maui have already pledged funding, and we have some remaining funds from last year’s donations. But we need much more funding sources to reach the target of planting as many as 400 trees at schools and a few other community service organizations and distributing them at community events.
You can donate via Venmo using the QR code located on the right side bar or by sending a check to the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset Foundation, PO Box 12861, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA. We are a 501(c)(3) EIN # 84-2237754 . Please indicate that your contribution is for the fruit-tree planting project. If you have questions, please contact Mariko Higashi at marikoonmaui@gmail.com or at 808-866-8116.