Kalapana Kollars, Hawaiian cultural director at Lahaina Restoration Foundation, teaches a cordage class before the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks are required, and social distancing will be enforced during the upcoming series.

LAHAINA — Hands-on Hawaiian cultural classes will be offered free to the public at the new cultural park at Apuakehau in Lahaina next to the library.

Beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, and continuing through December on the first and third Saturday of each month, participants will learn about “canoe plants” with a focus on kalo.

The workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All supplies will be provided at no charge.

Workshops are limited to seven participants and are open to anyone ten years of age and older. Masks are required, and social distancing will be enforced.

“Canoe plants” refer to the many useful plants that the Polynesians first brought to Hawaii on their voyaging canoes. During this workshop series, the plants to be used include niu (coconut), ulu (breadfruit) and ipu (gourd). Kalo (taro) education will be presented at every workshop and will include tasting, harvesting, pounding and planting, in addition to kalo history and its significance in Hawaiian culture.

Kalapana Kollars, Hawaiian cultural director at Lahaina Restoration Foundation, will conduct the hands-on workshops. James Simpliciano, local farmer, will focus on all aspects of kalo.

The schedule of classes is:

Oct. 17 – Kalo Workshop;

Nov. 7 – Cordage and Kalo;

Nov. 21 – Nui and Kalo;

Dec. 5 – Ulu and Kalo;

Dec. 19 – Ipu and Kalo.

Participants must register in advance at Lahaina Restoration on Facebook.

This free workshop series is generously funded by the Maui County Strong Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation through funds granted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and coordinated by Lahaina Restoration Foundation. For further information, e-mail events@lahainarestoration.org.