Growing kalo (taro) to promote culture and health in the Continental US.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

A growing number of Native Hawaiians live in the continental US. Without access to the 'āina (land) in Hawai'i, māla kalo (community gardens used to grow taro) may offer a space for these communities to increase access to traditional foods and create community connections.

Methods

We formed a community-research hui to engage in a community-based participatory research process to explore potential benefits of a māla kalo. We used an explanatory mixed-methods Indigenous evaluation approach, including a survey and interview with program volunteers and leaders to identify implementation strategies and thematic analysis to explore potential benefits of a māla kalo on the continent.

Results

A total of 12 participants and 5 program leaders, aged 18 to 75 years,

SUBMITTER: Ka'ula L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12549674 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature