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In 1978 my friend Dr. Emmett Aluli began with dozens of pre-teens and teenagers, to clean up taro patches around Molokai. This effort spread to all the other islands and young local children learned for the first time the
importance of wetland farming, both as a pracfical issue as well as the need to make them aware of their cultural connection to the land. Many wetland farms all over the islands were overgrown and in danger of being destroyed
due to neglect because the aging caretakers were simply dying off. The younger generation was awakened and assumed the responsibility. The taro situation and wetlands today is secure and thriving.This T-shirt that each child
wore proudly means:
“THE WORKING HANDS OF THE YOUTH”
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