First, the project will benefit the students of Clearview. Early adolescence is an exciting, sometimes scary time in the life of a child-growing-into-an-adolescent because of the major changes that take place during these years. Physically, socially, emotionally, these years can be volatile. We believe that each stage of life has “jobs” that each individual needs to learn in order to go on and live a healthy and productive life. Many people who study human development believe that if the “jobs” at a particular stage are not learned, people get “stuck” at this stage of development and will be less successful (at work, at home and within themselves) than those who master their “jobs.” Early adolescents have six interrelated “jobs” to accomplish during this stage of their lives:

The Clearview Farm and Fiberworks Project will lead our girls to the successful completion of these six important jobs. Helping each girl master these “jobs” is the primary objective of this project. The secondary objective is to raise funds for the girls' end of the year trip. The third objective is to create an agricultural learning community in Upcountry Maui that will benefit the elementary schools and preschools of the area.

The project will be conducted on a nine-acre farm in lower Kula, just off Omaopio Rd. and seven minutes from the school. The project will involve the girls working with a naturalist, who will be assisted by Janis Garcia, an experienced flower farmer, as well as with local area spinners and weavers. The farm and fiberworks will engage the girls in the care of alpacas, sheep, and angora rabbits for those interested in animal care. Girls more interested in gardening will grow natural plant fibers and ornamental flowers, as well as create a “pumpkin patch”. However, the learning opportunities will not stop there. The girls will be learning to do spreadsheets, record and reconcile accounts, develop a marketing plan, create promotional materials using our technology lab, and in general, learn the ins-and-outs of running a small cottage industry. Once the girls have become proficient in the operation of the farm and fiberworks, they will invite fifth grade students, both boys and girls, from Kula, Pukalani, and Makawao elementary schools to come and experience an afternoon of animal grooming, gardening, weaving or spinning at the fiberworks. Preschool and elementary school students will be invited to visit the pumpkin patch and choose their Halloween pumpkins. The girls will also be working with the UH Agricultural Extension Center in the capture and identification of fruit flies.

“Real work” opportunities are important for early adolescents as has long been shown by the success of Junior Achievement and 4-H Clubs. However, Junior Achievement is not available on the island, and with the full academic load of courses and the ballet, drama, and sports programs which engage so many children, combined with parents busy schedules, schools are needing to provide more and more of this type of opportunity for their students.

The land and the animals are being donated for the project for a three year period. All net funds raised by selling the creations produced by the farm and fiberworks will go to the girls to support their annual end of the year trip. In the past, such trips have included traveling to Ghost Ranch New Mexico, O'ahu, or the Big Island.