HONOLULU (HI Now) - Kualoa Ranch educator and Hawaiian language speaker Piko Elkington stopped by HI Now Daily to talk about how they are weaving ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi into its educational programs. A Kāneʻohe-area native who went through Hawaiian immersion school and graduated from Kamehameha Schools, Elkington has been with Kualoa’s Education Department for ten years. She says her roots and language background gave her the perfect foundation to build programs that keep Hawaiian culture front and center. “Growing up around that area really inspired me to aloha ʻāina.”
Kualoa’s educational tours are about way more than just a fun outing, they’re packed with culture and sustainability lessons. Visitors learn about the ahupuaʻa system, sustainable farming, and how the ranch feeds the community. Kids from immersion schools and DOE classrooms alike pick up Hawaiian vocabulary along the way, learning words like hua (fruit), moa (chicken), and hua moa (egg). “We try to get it to stick,” Elkington said with a laugh.
And if you’re looking for fresh, local goods, Kualoa’s farmers market is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll find produce, ranch proteins, cacao, soursop, guava, turmeric (ʻōlena), sugar cane (kō), and more. Their 2025 Impact Report highlights nearly 191,000 pounds of produce and protein grown, a testament to the ranch’s deep commitment to feeding and educating the community. Swing by, grab some goodies, and talk story with the team!
For more information, visit www.kualoa.com.
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