E kanu mea ‘ai o nānā keiki i ka ha‘i. ‘Ōlelo No‘eau, No. 317

Plant edible food plants lest your children look with longing at someone else's.

Aloha kākou. Kupuna means elder, grandparent or ancestor. Kalo or taro is a nutrient rich, starchy food of Hawai‘i. Taro grows world-wide, but for the Hawaiian people this crop is central to our creation story. We describe Hāloa as our older brother because he takes care of us if we take care of him.

This website kupunakalo.com promotes viewing Kalo as food through photos of varieties, a curriculum of suggested activities, contact information for field visits, nutrition information and recognition of teachers in the community. Please view this video of Uncle Jerry Konanui to understand our intent: Na `Ono o ka `Aina - Delicacies of the Land, min. 2:38. By ngtravelerseminars. Link to Youtube.com.

Mahalo to the kupuna and the friends who took time to share their knowledge of culture, food and science. This mana‘o is as my ears heard it. If your view is different, please join in our goal to communicate, explore and build understanding.

This website is a makana (a gift) meant for you. We offer you Taropy. Mai e ‘ai kākou.

The photo above shows Jerry Konanui standing in a field of kalo variety Maui Lehua. Photo credit Dr. Scot Nelson.

This is a non-profit website meant for educational purposes only. It emphasizes respect for the intellectual property created by others. Credit for content goes to Hawaiian kalo farmers, photographers, the publication Taro varieties in Hawai‘i. University of Hawaii, Bulletin 84, and The Hawaiian Dictionary, published by University of Hawai‘i press. Please do not duplicate images or content without providing credit to Kupunakalo.com or the materials' respective owners.