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The Gabriel family has transformed a 1-acre property in Nuuanu into a classroom to perpetuate Hawaiian culture.
Their yard includes loi (irrigated terraces), a watercress field, an array of fruit trees, a koi pond and other water features. Gabe and Celeste Gabriel, along with son Kahalepauole, tend the lush surroundings daily for their weekly visitors.
"We’re trying to keep the country feeling in downtown Honolulu," said Gabe Gabriel.
When they bought the property 14 years ago, it "was like a wild jungle full of tall grass, weeds and haole koa trees," he said.
The couple planted everything in the yard, channeling water from Waolani Stream to feed the loi. Gabriel said it was "hard labor" 12 hours a day over the course of a year, but they had fun doing it.
"We are a traditional Hawaiian ohana with simple values of planting things to enjoy their beauty and for food to eat," said the retired fire captain, who also was longtime percussionist for the late Loyal Garner. (His wife is an educational assistant at Ma‘ema’e Elementary in Nuuanu.)
They planted fruit trees and flowers remembered from their childhood: ginger, banana, guava, mango, coconut, Mexican lime, avocado, jabon (pummelo), lychee, tangerine and mountain apple.
Bananas and mangoes are used to make bread. The banana and ti leaves are useful for cooking, he explained. "Coconuts are important to us," said Gabriel, who grew up in Haleiwa. "We use them to make delicious desserts and smoothies."
The Gabriels have opened their yard to the community as an educational environment for children. The effort started when a parent from a charter school heard about the loi and asked if her daughter’s class could visit. Now, students from Halau Lokahi Charter School in Kalihi regularly visit and a group from Stevenson Middle School is scheduled for a field trip next week. Community college students, church groups and even students from New Zealand, New York and Alaska have spent time in the garden, he said. The Gabriels do not charge for the visits.
There are many interdisciplinary lessons for the Gabriel family to share with the children. They cover mathematics by measuring the area of the garden and calculating the distance between plants, and agricultural skills by harvesting produce and teaching kids about the variety of fruits.
The youngsters also learn teamwork, as they are assigned in groups of six to each loi. "Everyone has a job to do," Gabriel said.
"Our garden is an outdoor classroom, where they come for an education infused with math, reading, science, Hawaiian language and hula," he said. "When the kids come, we show them the fruit trees. We break open fruit so everyone can taste it."
Pele’s hair, also known as hinahina and Spanish moss, hangs over the branches of trees. "The kids use Pele’s hair to make lei when they dance hula.
"We’re just simple people, but we want to share the traditional culture and instill the thought of higher education. We’d love for more schools to come and visit."
As the sun sets, Gabriel enjoys the tranquility the garden provides and spends time in one of his favorite spots, a grouping of boulders surrounded by coconut palms.
Initially he tried to remove the rocks. After the third machine broke during removal, he knew they belonged in the landscape.
They have become a focal point on the property, he explained.
People can sit and meditate or just enjoy the shade while soaking in the peaceful surroundings.
Evenings in the garden are a family favorite. "You can smell the flowers and hear the birds and yourself breathing," Gabriel said.
Kahalepauole, 20, is a student at Honolulu Community College, studying fire science and Hawaiian language. He spends a lot of time in the garden, working several hours with his father before classes.
"There’s always something to do. My dad’s in the yard for about 12 hours every day, until 7 p.m.," Kahalepauole said.
"It’s nice to look at. … I can sit and relax for a long time. Sometimes I fall asleep under a tree."
To schedule garden visits on the Gabriel’s property, email egabriel@hawaii.rr.com.
