Help Uncle Keli`i teach Molokai FFA youth to farm

James “Keli`ipio Kahea” Mawae (Uncle Keli'i) is 100% Native Hawaiian, born and raised on Molokai and retired from the Maui County School District after over 40 years of service. He is known as the Molokai’ Master Fisherman and was the Director of the Aku Boat Training Program teaching youth boating safety and tuna fishing. When he brought in the catch every needy family was provided fish until it was all given away.

 

Uncle Keli`i served as Special Advisor to Senator Danial Inouye, and was instrumental in working with Senator Inouye 30 years ago to establish the Molokai Agriculture Development Program (MADP).

 

On March 4th Uncle was 86 years old, and is still wanting to help improve the lives of the Molokai Keiki by teaching the Molokai Future Farmers of America (FFA) students about farming taro and other crops; how to raise pigs and cattle; and about the cultural significance and uses for the Native Hawaiian plants that grow wild all over his farm. To do so Uncle needs to fence in 1.6 acres of land for the Molokai FFA students farming use (to prevent deer destruction of their crops), and provide the youth a rototiller and mower. Uncle has already acquired all the needed irrigation pipeline and drip irrigation tape to provide the water.