STARTING WITH THE KEIKI

The school environment is a key component to influencing healthier habits for our Wahiawa keiki. Healthy children are better able to focus and engage during the school day. Ka'ala Elementary School and Solomon Elementary School both recently became Blue Zones Project Approved^™ schools and continue to lead the way for innovative well-being programs in the education system.

Ka'ala Elementary School celebrated becoming the first Blue Zones Project Approved school in Wahiawa.

Ka'ala Elementary School
Principal Bennett and Vice Principal Wetzel knew wellness was a critical piece for their Ka’ala Elementary student body. With over 400 students and servicing many low-income families, incorporating well-being during the school day is not only a priority for the students but also becomes valuable in fostering a positive learning environment. Ka’ala Elementary, with the help of Counselor Ms. Oka, lead the way for Wahiawa in achieving their school approval and celebrating the great efforts they already had in place in achieving the DOE Wellness Guidelines. One unique program included the start of their Jr. Mahi’ai after school program. In partnership with Leilehua High School’s Future Farmers of America and Department of Agriculture’s Veggie U program, students were provided gardening and nutrition learning opportunities. In addition, they created a school garden at the entrance of the cafeteria to promote healthy eating to the rest of the student body and held a culminating showcase that allowed the students to teach the parents gardening skills and experience tastings of dishes by community restaurants. 

Solomon Elementary School
With the recent achievement of Ka’ala Elementary School’s approval, Solomon Elementary Principal Omalza and Enrichment Teacher Ms. Pearce began their quest to promote healthier school days. With a student body of over 800 students on a military installation, and an already designated ‘Aina School with Kokua Foundation, Solomon Elementary was already promoting healthy school programs. Through integrated nutrition and gardening curriculum as well as a fresh fruit and vegetable snack cart, students at Solomon can experience hands-on learning and tasting of healthier choices. In addition, these programs allow the schools to engage the family through their Garden Parties. Solomon Elementary’s experience and success with these programs became a valuable knowledge sharing opportunity for other Wahiawa schools to learn from. By working through the Blue Zones Project School Pledge, Solomon Elementary was able to emphasize the value of their garden and nutrition programs as well as highlight other policies and programs their school was already incorporating for their students and their families.

Wahiawa Youth Ninja Program
Providing student choice and student voice in their school days is a valuable way to incorporate student-approved healthy choices. Both Ka’ala Elementary and Solomon Elementary are part of the Wahiawa Youth Wellness Ninja Program, which allows partners like Wahiawa Fresh! and Blue Zones Project – Wahiawa to engage, empower, and support student ideas and activities in helping to make the school day and Wahiawa community healthier!

Empowering our students with healthy nudges during the school day that they can share at home with their families and connect with their community allows the learning and application to go beyond the school day!  

Join the Well-Being Movement!

Email our team to learn more about partnering with us to make healthy choices easier at your worksite, school, grocery store, restaurant, or faith-based organization.
Check out all participating organizations.

Sign up to receive community updates!
Learn more at hawaii.bluezonesproject.com