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This teacher needs your help!

Dr. Solomon from Waianae, HI is requesting lab equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Dr. Solomon is requesting

Mālama ʻĀina Garden – A Sustainable Future Project Overview

Help me give my students foster sustainability through native plant restoration, food sovereignty, and traditional Hawaiian agriculture, empowering students to cultivate environmental stewardship, cultural connection, and community engagement while promoting biodiversity and sustainable gardening practices.

FULLY FUNDED! Dr. Solomon's classroom raised $669

This project is fully funded

My Project

The Mālama ʻĀina Garden project will focus on sustainability through native plant restoration, food sovereignty, and traditional Hawaiian gardening practices. Students will design, cultivate, and maintain a garden that incorporates kalo (taro), ʻuala (sweet potato), and other indigenous and endemic Hawaiian plants while also removing invasive species that threaten native ecosystems.

This interdisciplinary, project-based learning experience aligns with the Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ) framework, reinforcing Aloha ʻĀina, kuleana (responsibility), and ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge) to develop a deep sense of place and stewardship.

Project Goals:

Restore Native Plant Species: Students will plant and care for native Hawaiian plants that support biodiversity and sustainability.

Promote Food Sovereignty: By growing kalo, ʻuala, and other traditional crops, students will explore self-sufficiency and the cultural significance of Hawaiian agriculture.

Practice Sustainable Gardening Methods: Composting, xeriscaping, companion planting, and organic gardening will minimize environmental impact.

Engage in Place-Based Learning: Students will learn about the land’s history, the role of water (wai), and indigenous land management practices.

Remove Invasive Species: Hands-on experience in identifying and eradicating invasive plants to protect native ecosystems.

Community & Family Engagement: Involve families and the local community in planting days, workshops, and cultural exchanges.

Dr. Solomon Nanaikapono Elementary School Grades 3-5

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Waianae, HI View local requests

More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

43 students impacted 7donors

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
VALONDINO Food Dehydrator, 8 Trays Stainless Steel Dehydrator, 194 ℉ Temp Control & Digital Timer, 600W Jerky Dehydrator, Dehydrators for Fruits and Vegetables, Dog Treats, Herbs & Meat • Amazon Business $121.99 1 $121.99
Maotong 240FT Drip Irrigation System Kit, Automatic Garden Watering Misting System for Greenhouse, Yard, Lawn, Plant with 1/2 inch Hose 1/4 inch Distribution Tubing and Accessories • Amazon Business $45.59 2 $91.18
All-in-One Flower Garden Kit - 30 Bulbs Per Box - Potluck Planting Rainbow Bouquet Mix - Tulips, Daffodils, Iris, Crocus, Muscari - Live Outdoor Garden - Easy to Plant Flowers • Amazon Business $38.95 1 $38.95
Tanzfrosch 2 PCS Herb Drying Rack 6 Layers Mesh Hanging with Zipper Opening, Herb Dry Net for Drying Herb Plant Bud Flower Food Meat Fruits & Tea with Hooks and Garden Scissor • Amazon Business $37.99 1 $37.99
35 Medicinal & Tea Herb Seeds Variety Pack for Indoor & Outdoors. 16,335+ Non-GMO Heirloom Garden Seeds: Anise, Bergamot, Borage, Cilantro, Chamomile, Dandelion, Rosemary Seeds & More • Amazon Business $29.99 1 $29.99
55 Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack - 35,600+ Non-GMO Heirloom Seeds for Planting Vegetables and Fruits in Individual Seed Packets, Home Garden Seeds for Hydroponic, Indoor and Outdoors Gardening • Amazon Business $29.99 1 $29.99
Seed Starter Tray with Grow Light, 5 Packs Plant Starter Tray Seedling Starter Kit with Humidity Domes Base Indoor Greenhouse Mini Propagator Station for Seeds Growing Starting (12 Cells per Tray) • Amazon Business $22.99 1 $22.99
Organo Republic 15 Edible Flower Seeds Variety Pack- Indoor/Outdoor. 4800+ Non-GMO Heirloom Flower: Borage, Bishop's Flower, Chicory, Chives, Hyssop, Echinacea, Lavender Seeds & More • Amazon Business $16.99 1 $16.99
Bamboo Plant Stakes, 50pcs, Extra Long Plant Labels (2.25" x 1.5" x 7"), Bamboo Garden Signs, 50 pcs Plant Tags, Bamboo Plant Identifications Stakes, Plant Markers • Amazon Business $16.98 1 $16.98
HOME GROWN 15 Culinary Herb Seeds - Heirloom & Non GMO - High Germination Rate - Seeds for Planting Indoor Hydroponic or Outdoor Garden | Gardening Gift Men Women Gardeners Basil, Cilantro, Mint • Amazon Business $15.99 1 $15.99
TONULAX Solar Garden Lights - New Upgraded Solar Swaying Light, Sway by Wind, Solar Outdoor Lights, Yard Patio Pathway Decoration, High Flexibility Iron Wire & Heavy Bulb Base, Warm White(2 Pack) • Amazon Business $15.98 1 $15.98
64-Slot Plastic Seed Storage Box with Label Stickers, Organizer for Flower, Vegetable, Clover and Basil Seeds • Amazon Business $14.98 1 $14.98
Mixed Peony Ranunculus Bulbs- Persian Buttercup -10 Corms Bulbs Flowering Blooms Perennial Bulbous Root Garden Plant • Amazon Business $13.90 1 $13.90
Monarch Butterfly Rescue Mix - Large 1 Ounce Packet - 11,000 Flower Seeds for Planting - Wildflower Mix • Amazon Business $12.99 1 $12.99
Seed Needs, Edible Wildflower Seed Packet Collection (7 Varieties of Flower Seed for Planting) Non-GMO & Untreated - Includes Viola, Pansies, Chives, Borage, Calendula, Nasturtium and Bee Balm • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
Hybrid Rose Seeds Mixed Color Flower Rare Rose 100 Seeds • Amazon Business $8.99 1 $8.99
100+Mixed Giant Hibiscus Seeds Planting Outdoor- Perennial Rare Non-GMO Heirloom Flowers Plant for Your Flourishing Garden Home • Amazon Business $8.54 1 $8.54

Materials cost

$508.41

Vendor shipping charges

 FREE

Sales tax

 $22.37

3rd party payment processing fee

$7.63

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$568.41

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$100.31

Total project goal

$668.72

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $668.72

5 Donors

-$460.02

Donations toward project cost

-$437.52

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$22.50

Matching donations from our partners

-$153.99

Match offers toward project cost

-$130.89

Match offers to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$23.10

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$54.71

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Dr. Solomon and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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