Meakanu (Plant) Diary is a family-centered, place-based activity that encourages keiki and their ʻohana to explore, identify, observe, and document plants growing in their own yard or neighborhood. The resource emphasizes the importance of relationships with one another and with the ʻāina and introduces plants as culturally and traditionally important sources of food, water, medicine, shelter, materials, and clean air.
Learners create individual plant diary cards using drawings, leaf rubbings, or photographs and record information such as plant names, who planted the plant, when it appeared in the yard, and interesting facts or family stories connected to it. The activity is designed to be done together as an ʻohana and can continue over several days by focusing on a different plant each day.
Create a Meakanu Plant Diary
Families or students:
The resource encourages learners to ask questions such as what kinds of plants are in their yard, where they came from, and what stories they have heard about them.
It also recommends kilo, or careful observation, using the five senses. The included Sensory Nature Walk guide asks learners to notice what they see, hear, smell, taste, and feel in nature.
