E komo mai! The Enocencio 'Ohana invites everyone, from the mountain to the sea to learn how to survive in these beautiful islands we call home.” Pictured are the Enocencios and friends atop Mauna Kea on New Years Day 2008, and pictured left with her pāpio, Miss Briahna Brooks. - Photos: Courtesy of Jeno Enocencio

Introduction: Survival 101

By Jimmy F. “Jeno” Enocencio

Howzit. It's an honor for my 'ohana and I to share our special project(s) concerning the development of our youth that is relative to lessons on self-reliance, sustainability and surviving these tough economic times.

Through the generous use of Kamehameha Schools land, Kalalau Ranch and Victory Gardens LLC along with Kalalau: Rediscovering the Ahupua'a Life System [with 501(c)(3) nonprofit Haola Inc. as fiscal sponsor] are dedicated to getting our youth and the schools they attend more involved in agriculture, animal science and aqua-science.

The purpose of Kalalau Ranch and Victory Gardens (KRVG) is to (re)produce healthy and viable diverse livestock, seed propagation and fingerlings. This stock will initially supply our youths with starters for their personal projects when developing those skills and knowledge in its relationship to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and its application in the real world.

Kalalau: Rediscovering the Ahupua'a Life System (KRALS) is based on how the ancient Hawaiians utilized their STEM skills and its application to their environment. As a society they were able to determine seasons as it pertained to soil conditions and its variations, planting and harvesting, moon and sun and stars, tides and current conditions, also in accordance to planting (fishponds) and harvesting (shore and deep sea), including that of ocean travel. They were capable of surviving and existing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles away from any means of international support through sustainability of their own doing.

E komo mai! The Enocencio 'Ohana invites everyone, from the mountain to the sea to learn how to survive in these beautiful islands we call home.” Pictured are the Enocencios and friends atop Mauna Kea on New Years Day 2008, and pictured left with her pāpio, Miss Briahna Brooks. - Photos: Courtesy of Jeno Enocencio

With that, the Centers for Disability Studies, UH-Mānoa developed a “Science in Hawai'i” curriculum for our students. While several schools in the DOE and charter schools have adopted this sense of curriculum “ag in the classroom” (that is, learning the basics in a classroom setting), we consider ourselves as being “hands-on” skill- and application-oriented.

To organize our group of students, the Kalalau Ahupua'a 4-H Club (nicknamed “The Wanderers”) was formed. The 4-H's mission is focused on developing leadership, citizenship and life skills. By learning to work and grow together as catalysts for positive change, our 4-H youths are empowered to reach their full potential by working and learning in partnership with caring adults. Some of those caring adults come from our veterans' community.

This is basically the nuts and bolts of our 'ohana's project. When asked why are we going to such extremes for establishing this “humongous” project, I would simply reply in a series of questions: “What if the ships were to quit coming … how would you and your family survive? … what would you say when your kids or mo'opuna are crying out to you pleading – mommy, daddy, nana, papa … I hungry … please, I like fo' eat something? What you going do ... what would you say … no mo'?” We're all faced with these possibilities. In fact, it's a reality; it's already here.

There's more to this project than mentioned – there is a heck of a lot more. On Sept. 10 my sons James (Agriculture Project Manager) and Orion (Animal Project Manager) along with myself and Hawai'i County Extension Agent and 4-H coordinator Ms. Becky Settlage will be taping a show at 'Olelo TV to appear on OHA's Ho'oulu Lāhui Aloha program, which broadcasts on O'ahu on Channel 53 and online at olelo.org. This project series focuses primarily on what KRALS and the 4-H program and mentoring is about. Along with collaborative efforts from private and government entities and regular folks, these tools will forge a creative developmental benefit in both youths and adults – bringing prosperity and increased standard of living in the community they reside. Our goal is self-reliance and self-sustainability – the ability to survive in time of famine, war and disease and economic hardship; without the need for drastic outside intervention.

When viewing our series of “How to(s)” on surviving in these Islands, like raising small animals for protein, gardening on the lanai or backyard, raising fish in a tub, growing lettuce from a Clorox bottle, preparing and cooking it – your families will become closer as you learn and experience together. Hard times are here to stay. Simply stated, “Survive or Die.” Death should never be an option.

Jeno Enocencio writes about the many hats he wears.
Email pointman_jeno@msn.com