KAPA‘A — When Phil Villatora emerged after living in the jungles of Kaua‘i for two years, he returned to society with new vision. “I was inspired of how sustainable Hawai‘i is,” said Phil Villatora. “It’s my biggest inspiration and still
KAPA‘A — When Phil Villatora emerged after living in the jungles of Kaua‘i for two years, he returned to society with new vision.
“I was inspired of how sustainable Hawai‘i is,” said Phil Villatora. “It’s my biggest inspiration and still is.”
Villatora used that inspiration to establish The Children of the Land (Na Keiki O Ka ‘Aina), a nonprofit organization that promotes Hawaiian and Polynesian culture.
Beginning Monday, The Children of the Land hosts an eight-week summer camp for youth ages seven and older.
During the camp, children learn how to plant a garden, make rope, surf, play ukulele, hula, drum, fire knife dance, build an imu and more.
“In the six weeks last year, they learned chanting, they learned all the arts,” Villatora said.
On July 31, students who attended the summer camp will host a luau and ho‘ike where they can share with friends and families what they learned during camp.
“Mainly, it’s building confidence and letting (the children) know how to utilize the land with high respect. That it’s possible to have that relationship,” Villatora said.
As part of the camp, students attend field trips to cultural centers and visit different farms to plant crops.
“The main thing is sustainibility,” Villatora said. “What drove me to the jungle was because of the society. The politics, the gripes, the pining for things and not sharing it. I got to learn as long as I can change me and share the knowledge that I have learned, I can at least share that. … The summer camp is something that we all need.”
Rainbow Zephier, who attended last year’s summer camp, said she learned how to play ‘ukulele, a skill that earned her second place in the Kaua‘i Polynesian Festival’s U Tink U Get Talent contest.
“Camp was fun,” she said. “We did a lot of fun crafts and we had great adventures, like crossing a big stream to get bamboo and passing back with the bamboo.”
Jodi Martin of Kapa‘a said she has noticed a difference since her daughter started attending classes at The Children of the Land.
“My daughter has been here for three months and I’ve just seen a big change in her,” said Jodi Martin of Kapa‘a. “She’s fire knife dancing, she’s drumming and performing with poi balls. She’s just loving all of it. It really opened her up.”
The Children of the Land Summer Camp is June 6 through July 29. Classes are limited to 30 students, and tuition is $600 for eight weeks or $100 per week.
“If they really want to feel what this art is instead of seeing it, come down,” Villatora said.
Children of the Land is located in the Kaua‘i Village Shopping Center in Kapa‘a. For more information visit www.thechildrenoftheland.com call 821-1234.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
