Determination Daniel Forman is helping his Waianae High School students to cultivate all kinds of seeds in hopes that what springs from the soil is more than plant life.
takes root in Waianae
Vandalism and theft fail to
keep students from cultivating
native Hawaiian plantsBy Pat Gee
pgee@starbulletin.comThey are learning how to grow native Hawaiian plants, how satisfaction springs from hard work -- and they are learning perseverance.
The alternative education program has been the target of thefts and vandalism, he said.
About 100 native plants grown from seeds were stolen from a greenhouse in early June, and several 3-foot trees, also grown from seed, were taken from a nearby site that the students cleared and are trying to beautify, he said.
Equipment has been destroyed and nursery supplies stolen.
Forman is proudest of the "great resilience" the students have shown despite the setbacks.
"Months of work by students is gone, yet the students endure," he said.
Brandy Kahoano, a senior, and Siagae Mane, a junior, are among the 100 students in the Phoenix program who have taken an avid interest in growing native plants.
Looking at the empty holes where trees had been stolen, Kahoano wails in frustration, "Man, they took our trees, they took our trees! That's so mean! How ignorant! ... They have no respect for property."
Mane commented, "They (the vandals) think they're hard core. We're trying to make the community better. When I find them, they're going to be sorry!"
But the students won't be deterred, he added.
"If they take one, we'll plant another. We'll keep on planting. We'll keep on going, like the Energizer Bunny," he said, referring to a battery commercial. "Then maybe they'll get tired of stealing."
The students have spent countless hours since October clearing a site next to the campus, dedicated by the city for a park, of kiawe brush and weeds using only light equipment.
They planted native trees such as the ma'o, wiliwili, 'ilima papa, ohai and aweoweo. The purpose of planting the native species is to create a seed bank for propagation throughout the islands, as these seeds are difficult to get, and use the plants for restoration projects around the leeward coast. At the same time, students get valuable experience.
Kahoano said the students have learned a lot from watching Forman.
"He gets so mad" when he sees the vandalism, but "he never gives up on us," she said. Mane added, "If he's willing, we'll help."
Liz Coelho, a volunteer who has transported truckloads of debris from the site, said "Daniel has a very good attitude about the stealing. If they're going to take a plant and plant it somewhere, let it be. But if they take one and destroy it, it breaks our heart."
Forman said, "If you get upset and give up, the students won't respect you. But if you show an attitude that you can overcome it, they will (respect you) ... I don't like to see them getting mad back. I tell them not to give up, and don't be a follower -- don't follow their example by doing the wrong thing. Be a leader. Do the right thing."