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Kalihi Valley Nature Park and Active Living Center

A Good Idea

Description

In 2003, Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV), a comprehensive family services and healthcare agency, received a grant to transform a 100-acre tract of unused land in the Kalihi Valley into the Kalihi Valley Nature Park and Active Living Center. Gary Gill, KKV's Active Living Program Coordinator, envisioned a place where the community could begin to "get back to the land and heal the wounds of their urban existence." The community has embraced his vision, evidenced by a number of community members and volunteers from local organizations and schools, including Honolulu Community College, Halau Lokahi, the Boy Scouts, the National Park Service, and even the local Pig Hunter's Association, who have volunteered their time and energy to restore the house and the surrounding land.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to create a connection to nature, gardening and hiking for the Kalihi valley's urban residents.

Results / Accomplishments

With new roofing, plumbing and electricity courtesy of students from Honolulu Community College, the abandoned, overgrown home is now a residence, a meeting facility, and a classroom for its community members. The dilapidated structure in the middle of the rain forest has become an oasis for active living, community action, cultural education and environmental stewardship. The surrounding land is being transformed into organic community gardens that will provide space for hundreds of people to be more physically active, grow and eat healthy foods to improve their diet and learn to be less dependent on more expensive sources of fresh produce.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV)
Primary Contact
Lisa Ferentinos
Kokua Kalihi Valley
2239 N. School St
Honolulu HI 96819
(808) 848-0976 ext. 469
LisaF@kkv.net
http://www.kkv.net/
Topics
Health / Wellness & Lifestyle
Environmental Health / Built Environment
Community / Community & Business Resources
Organization(s)
Kokua Kalihi Valley (KKV)
Source
Active Living By Design
Date of publication
Jul 2006
Date of implementation
2003
Location
Honolulu, HI
For more details
Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition