How the Porpoises of Pearl Ridge Elementary found purpose — and play — in plants
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Pearl Ridge Elementary School’s aquaponics garden is a hands-on learning space where students grow plants and vegetables, and it’s the foundation for a cool community service project.
“The follow-up question then was, what are we’re going to do with the produce that we grow? So the students decided that they wanted to donate it,” teacher Grant Oka said.
That idea grew into a full-blown fundraiser. Fifteen 4th, 5th, and 6th graders from the school’s Gifted and Talented Program convinced farmers to donate produce for a one-day sale.
They call it The Porpoise Project, named after the school’s mascot. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to Aloha Harvest, Hawaii’s largest food rescue organization.
“It’s way more than just a food event,” student Arwyn Ramos said. “Supporting it would not just be a good thing for you. It would affect so many lives and individuals.”
Aloha Harvest takes in and distributes about three million pounds of food each year to agencies, food banks and non-profits that help feed those in need. It relies heavily on grants and donations. The Porpoise Project comes as a welcome gift.
“It helps build awareness of what we’re doing. It helps support the local ag industry. So it really is a win-win,” said Brandon Tomita, Aloha Harvest’s executive director.
The three-hour community event will be held on Pearl Ridge Elementary’s campus on Friday starting at 5:30 p.m.
The school hopes for a big turnout.
“We’re going to have food trucks and vendors. The produce that will be in our cafeteria features five local farms. It ends at 8:30. So come out and join our event, please,” teacher Jennifer Omoto said.
You can also buy produce and plants grown by the students in their aquaponics garden – the space that spawned their fundraising idea.
“It’s such a good feeling to know that you’re going to be helping people,” Ramos said.
That’s why the youngsters say their Porpoise Project is a project with a purpose.
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