When Adriano mentioned that the Philippine government was providing seedlings to people with the idea that they would be more likely to start a garden with them, Dexter Kishida, program director for Honolulu's food security and resilience initiatives, felt that this approach could be successful in Hawaii. The Holomua Marine Initiative was created by the Department of Aquatic Resources (DAR) to provide grants and technical assistance training programs to a cohort of community partners from Maui and Lāna'i. This initiative is designed to ensure long-term access to food, as well as address the nutritional needs of all demographic groups in Hawaii, particularly those of developing children, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and people living in poverty. The enthusiasm of the multigenerational Filipino contingent that defends food gardens in Hawaii is likely due to the fact that domestic cultivation is deeply rooted in Filipino culture, even in urban environments.
This is why Adriano's idea of providing seedlings could be so effective in promoting environmental sustainability among Hawaiians with Filipino ancestry. In order to make this initiative successful, it is important to provide resources and support for those who are interested in starting their own gardens. This includes providing access to land, tools, and educational materials on how to cultivate a garden. Additionally, it is important to create a network of support among those who are already involved in gardening initiatives.
This could include creating a forum or online platform where people can share tips and advice on how to maintain their gardens. It is also important to create incentives for people to participate in gardening initiatives. This could include offering rewards or discounts for those who are able to produce a certain amount of food from their gardens. Additionally, it could involve creating competitions or challenges where people can win prizes for growing the most produce or creating the most innovative garden designs. Finally, it is important to create awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability among Hawaiians with Filipino ancestry. This could include hosting events or workshops where people can learn about the benefits of gardening and how it can help protect the environment.
Additionally, it could involve creating campaigns or advertisements that highlight the importance of gardening and how it can help reduce waste and conserve resources. Overall, there are many initiatives that can be taken to promote environmental sustainability among Hawaiians with Filipino ancestry today. By providing resources and support for those interested in starting their own gardens, creating incentives for participation, and raising awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability, we can ensure that this initiative is successful.
