Kalo is the Hawaiian name given to the cultivated plant, taro. Kalo specifically refers to the name of the first taro growing from the planted stalk. While Kalo is largely known as Taro and has been cultivated into several different foods in Hawai’i it is a staple and core food.
Context:
Kalo stems from one of the creation stories of the Kumulipo which gives birth to the idea of kanaka (man) and the ʻāina (land). Which, is considered a very important food in Hawaiʻi. Just between the story of making paʻi ai with Kalo is commonly done in Hawaiʻi and is also a very good way to share the knowledge and connection that the Hawaiian people have to the land.
ACTIVITY
PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO, in preparation for the activity of making Paʻi ai.
Paʻi ai is something made when you mash Kalo with water and make it into sorta a pudding texture, it is one stage away from making poi.
