In order to understand the effects of our project and the significance that it would have, we had to understand the surrounding area's historical context.
What factors influence the chosen subject?
The amount of rain and sunlight received, average temperature, soil erosion and soil fertility will influence what types of food can be grown in Mililani. Each school's space, resources and volunteers will dictate how big the garden is and what kind of impact it will have on the children and community. Public participation and motivation will influence how well people respond to our message, and if they actually take action towards sustainable food practices.
Describe the location, climate,environment, and physical context
Mililani is located in the Waikele, Oahu watershed and Waip’io Ahapua’a. Climate: Mililani gets 24 inches of rain per year and rains 94 days a year. There are 269 sunny days, on average, per year in Mililani. The July temperature high is around 84 degrees, while the January low is 64 degrees. The dry season is from May to October and the wet season is from November to May. There are northeasterly trade winds. Mililani is located in the immediate rain shadow of the Ko’olau mountains. It is at hurricane risk from hurricane season. Soil: The soil is oxisols. The soil is considered arable; indeed, Mililani Mauka has a lychee farm by Kapanoe. Geology: Mililani resides over Ko’olau lava. Mililani is located between in the central valley between the two main volcanoes on the island, which make up the Waianae and Ko’olau mountain ranges. The water area is 0.2 square miles. Mililani is located in Central Oahu in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. It’s total area is 6.6 sq. miles of land at 627 ft. elevation (Central Oahu Watershed Study). Mililani contains 5 elementary schools: Mililani Ike, Mililani Mauka, Mililani Uka, Mililani Waena and Kipapa Elementary School. Mililani Middle School is located in Mauka, and Mililani High School is located in Mililani Town. Hanalani Schools is a private Christian school also located in Mililani Town.
Summarize key information known about life history or habitat
Population: 48,668. Interstate H-2 was opened in 1976; this cut the travel time between Mililani and Honolulu in half. Mililani was identified as an All American City in 1986 and is the only Hawaiian community to receive this honor. The older part of Mililani that is located to the west of Interstate H-2 is recognized as Mililani Town. Mililani is the 13th most populated state in Hawaii.
Identify social, political, cultural, and factors and indigenous knowledge related to the population or place
Mililani sits on land that was formerly plantation fields owned by Castle and Cooked. It occupies the Waikele watershed, which has had 12 biotic samples taken from it, dating from 54 years ago (Estrella). The Waikele watershed was given an overall rating of 5 out of 10.
POLITICAL: Beth Fukumoto-Chang is now the representative for District 36, which Mililani resides in.
SOCIAL: The largest ethnic group of people is Asian (44.28%), followed by Mixed Race (30.14%), Caucasian (18.07%), and Native Hawaiian (4.04%) (“Mililani Town CDP, Hawaii”).
People: The median age of the Mililani population is 37.2 years old. There are 14,309 family households in Mililani and the median household income is $96,528. The average household had 3 people. 62.3% of the households are family households. The population density is 7,011 people per square mile. The largest ethnic group of people is Asian (44.28%), followed by Mixed Race (30.14%), Caucasian (18.07%), and Native Hawaiian (4.04%).
CULTURAL: Residents of Mililani enjoy activities such as organized sports (soccer, volleyball, baseball, tennis, softball, golf etc.), fitness (yoga, martial arts, Zumba), and gardening. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) protects sacred places and supports citizen’s involvement in protecting Hawaiian culture. Ancestral bones can be found almost anywhere in Hawaii, as Hawaiians placed the bodies of their ancestors in the landscape for centuries.