Kamehameha Schools has awarded Kapiʻolani Community College $50,000 to fund Project Olonā. Twelve first-year Native Hawaiian college students will research the active ingredients of Hawaiian medicinal plants and compare the difference in the chemical potency of these plants when grown using different methods including traditional soil and hydroponic systems. The students will also investigate the potential healing properties of traditional medicinal plants.
Keolani Noa, outreach and Native Hawaiian coordinator of the STEM Program said, “We are very excited about this innovative collaboration between Kamehameha Extension Education Services Division and Kapiʻolani CC Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program. Project Olonā will help students enhance their knowledge about Hawaiian culture and science and help them link traditional Hawaiian practices to contemporary science. This program is poised to increase interest and preparedness of Native Hawaiians for STEM related professions.”
Students will have the opportunity to work alongside experts in the fields of ethnobotany and chemistry, who will lead the program and provide them with scientific skills and knowledge needed to successfully conduct the experiments.
“Experiences like these are critical to linking students learning in the classroom to relevant and real world applications,” said Stacy Clayton, director of Extension Education Services at Kamehameha Schools. “What makes Project Olonā special is the Hawaiian world view in which these undergraduate students will conduct their scientific work and inquiry. Their findings will greatly contribute to the scientific Hawaiian body of knowledge.”
“Through this project Native Hawaiian students will be given the opportunity to find their place and role in the ʻāina in which they live and relate their cultural knowledge and experience to rigorous scientific investigations,” said Kapiʻolani CC Chancellor Leon Richards.
For more, read the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation news release.
