Cultural Curriculum Specialist & Education Consultant
Now Enrolling: Kilo Nā Manawa o ke Ao
Times of Day ʻOhana Workshop Series
This live ʻohana series begins in pō (darkness) and follows the natural rhythm into ao (day). Together, families will learn to notice nā manawa o ke ao through ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, light, direction, and kilo practice.Each hui focuses on one specific time period, building awareness through observation and shared discussion.
Activate Your Kilo Journey
Cultivate Connection - Observe Place - Return to Pono
Guided learning grounded in Hawaiian ways of knowing for ʻohana, kumu, and kaiāulu.
Māla Maoli
Learning From ʻĀina
Māla Maoli, meaning native garden spaces, is a place-based learning program. Native plants and landscapes serve as outdoor classrooms where kilo (careful observation & traditional way of learning) helps students develop familiarity with place, time, and seasonal change through direct experience.
Māla Maoli supports schools and organizations through the design and cultivation of native garden learning spaces, along with curriculum, workshops, and learning tools that extend observation and Hawaiian language into daily practice.
Māla Maoli is led by Samoana, an educator and curriculum designer with classroom and community-based teaching experience. She also works as an education consultant supporting curriculum writing and program development.
Selected Work
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Designed and implemented Māla Maoli native garden learning space and place-based curriculum in partnership with ʻEwa Beach Elementary School with funding from OHE ʻAina Aloha grant
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Developed place-based wildfire learning curriculum in partnership with Mālama Learning Center to support student and community understanding following the 2023 Maui wildfires
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Facilitated Keiki Kilo observation-based learning series supporting families and educators in developing kilo and environmental awareness practices
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Partnered with community organizations, including Hō Mai Ka Pono, to design and facilitate place-based learning experiences centered on time, observation, and relationship with ʻāina
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Designed original educational tools, including Nā Manawa o ke Ao flashcards, to support ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and place-based learning in classroom and community settings
Shop
Nā Manawa o Ke Ao - Times of Day Flashcards
Nā Manawa o ke Ao flashcards support observation of daily light and time through kilo (deep observation) and Hawaiian ways of knowing.
The cards help learners connect ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi with lived experience and environmental awareness.
Each set includes original design and imagery, with a handmade outer card box reflecting the care and intentionality of Māla Maoli learning.
Suitable for home, classroom, and outdoor use. Limited first release. Price includes shipping within Hawaiʻi and the United States.
What's Included: Each Nā Manawa o ke Ao flashcard set includes 22 cards designed to support observation, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, and relationship with daily cycles. The set includes: Times of day in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi Cardinal directions Sun and moon sky objects Times of day reference diagram Glossary of key terms Pronunciation support for ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi These elements work together to help learners build familiarity with time, direction, and environmental awareness through direct observation and practice. Each set is housed in a handmade card box. Each card measures approximately 3.5" x 4.2" and is printed on durable, high-quality cardstock designed for repeated use in classroom and outdoor settings. Cards feature rounded corners for ease of handling and longevity. The flashcards are professionally printed to ensure clarity, color accuracy, and durability while maintaining a tactile, easy-to-use format.
Each set includes a handmade card box.
For school or bulk orders, contact directly.
Additional Māla Maoli learning opportunities, including Keiki Kilo and Nā Manawa o ke Ao, will be shared in the coming months. These offerings extend learning for ʻohana, educators, and community.
Contact
If you're interested in learning together, collaborating, or inviting Māla Maoli into your school or community, you're welcome to reach out.
Email: kumu@kumusamoana.com
For frequent kilo inspiration, follow my IG account @kumu_samoana
