Updated: October 5, 2022
Sponsored by Texaco in Hawaii
Mālama Learning Center is a small non-profit organization based in West Oʻahu that was founded more than 15 years ago. Its mission is to teach and inspire communities to create healthy living environments. Throughout the month of April, you can help by taking the Ho` āla Earth Day Pledge.
“We do that through hands-on programs for students, teachers, and families. Our main operations are based in Kapolei, but we have projects throughout Leeward Oʻahu,” says Executive & Program Director Pauline Sato.
Urban ʻĀina is the center’s new program launching this April in honor of Earth Day. It is centered on a 1-acre garden plot that it is managing at the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center in Kunia.
“We are converting a fallow area to become a vibrant outside classroom filled with native, cultural, and fruit trees to promote agro-forestry and growth of sustainable resources,” Sato explains. “We call it Urban ʻĀina because West Oʻahu is one of the fastest growing communities in the state and we feel it is important to keep our connection to the land strong because it will take care of us if we take care of it.”
Mālama Learning Center has been actively growing and planting native Hawaiian trees through its Ola Nā Kini program, of which Urban ʻĀina is now a part.
“We focus on trees because they will be with us for the long run — cleaning our air, keeping temperatures cooler, holding the soil down from erosion, capturing CO2 to reduce carbon in our atmosphere, connecting us to our cultural heritage, and providing resources that we can use. Itʻs the gift that keeps on giving!” Sato says.
Mālama Learning Center has partnered with Texaco and throughout the month of April, you can support the non-profit organization by taking the Ho` āla Earth Day Pledge. Ho` āla is Texaco’s carbon offset program, which offsets vehicle carbon emissions by up to 30 percent! When you stop in at any Texaco across the state, Texaco will donate $1 for each pledge, up to $75,000 total, to local eco-nonprofits like the Mālama Learning Center in 2021.
For more information: malamalearningcenter.org
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Original source: https://www.hinowdaily.com/support-malama-learning-center-and-take-the-ho-ala-earth-day-pledge/