Hawaiian School of Knowledge Offers Unique Experiences

By Kumari Sherreitt, Brandi Salas and Alyssa Navares

The University of Hawai'i at Manoa is the center of Hawaiian studies in the nation, and with this in mind the first school was added to the UH system in 20 years is Ka Papa Loi O Kanewai.

Ka Papa Loi O Kanewai is an interactive class on Loi cultivation, the feilds of taro. The Director of the Lo'i Studies, Makahiapo Cashman, said that he is excited that the school has its on entity and opportunity to focus completely on the Hawaiian culture.

“It’s really nice, you know. It gives us a voice, it gives the lo‘i a voice, it gives haloa a voice and our students a voice too, so it’s really nice to be recognized," said Cashman.

The Lo'i is located below the Manoa river, right next to the Hawaiian Studies building. The Lo‘i has 40 varieties of taro, making it the only school in the world that offers students a "hands on" experience. The public is also allowed to visit the Lo'i and learn about it. “In order to do lo‘i, you need thousands of people, you know. And that’s what this place does, it brings a lot of people together, and we get a chance to share our culture with other people too," he said.

Students learning taro cultivation seemed to enjoy the outdoor atmosphere. One of Cashman's students, Jaime Nioi Tabag, a UH Manoa senior, said, “I’ve learned more and I’ve also learned how to pull them out, where to cut it, what each part represents, the name for each part and basically this ground, why this ground exists today, the history.”