La'akea Community

So much has happened…. here’s a glimpse!
We began an internship program to complement our existing work exchange program in the summer of ’07. That first summer the enrollment wasn’t sufficient to run a full program, but we had a group of folks arrive at the same time anyway as work exchangers. This created a special container which was enjoyed by all. Here’s them in action!
Since then our internship program has grown and blossomed. We now run three programs a year.  At the end of each program the group selects a design project and gets a chance at their own creation. This year the winter interns decided to build upon what the fall program began.

Socially, we have been very busy as well. We had some trial members who chose not to join as the trial period is for us all to see whether there is a good fit or not.

We also had two births! Aniko gave birth to Kai’ea in Nov. ’07 and Tracy gave birth to Ai’ala in May ’08.

Aniko and Kai’ea

Ai’ala, Tracy and Biko

In the beginning in 2006:

That’s Dona walking from the main house to the meadow space. We’re blazing new trails in our 6 acres of Ohia forest to enable us to remove non-native species, plant native, edible and useful species.

Here’s our new fruit tree nursery. We’re propagating species such as: abiu, avocado, cacao (chocolate), mango, jackfruit, rollinia, soursop, mamae zapote, and many more to plant at La’akea and to plant in other landscapes throughout the big island. In addition to maintaining our existing orchard areas, we are preparing to plant hundreds of new fruit trees at La’akea. La’akea began as a lime and guava orchard and over 100 of these trees remain.

Here’s us harvesting water weeds (azolla) from the Meadow Pond. We’re clearing more surface area for swimming and using the weeds to mulch and fertilizer our apple bananna grove next to the pond.

Here’s Aniko in our “Marigold Greenhouse.” We’re installing raised beds in the greenhouses to increase soil depth – using harvested peach palm trees which will regrow from the stumps.

Biko and Tracy enjoying a relaxed weekly business meeting. We have a weekly business meeting and a weekly community gathering to discuss what’s going on for us.

We’ve revamped our aquaculture tanks which grow plants and fish, and will soon provide nutrient rich water to our gardens and nursery area.