By Diane Tom-Ogata, Kimberlee Stuart, and Shari Jumalon, Ho’ala School, Wahiawa, O’ahu

Kahanahaiki is an ahupua’a (chiefdom) in the moku (district) of Waianae on the mokupuni (island) of O’ahu. Currently, Kahanahaiki is managed by both the state and federal programs that rely heavily on both paid employees and volunteer groups.

On Friday January 17, 2014, Maggie Pulver, Teacher at Hoala School & A’o Hawaii Educator, gathered thirteen Ho’ala middle school students on the lanai, along with representatives from O’ahu Army Natural Resources Program (OANRP) and A’o Hawaii Educators for a field trip to Kahanahaiki in the Wai’anae Mountains.

Kim Welch, OANRP team leader and Ho’ala School parent, conducted a safety briefing, reminding students to stay hydrated, pay attention, and keep on the trail. She also went over certain protocols in place, like using the bathroom and what to do if you get lost.

Excited students prepared to document their trip as part of a writing assignment to investigate endemic and introduced Hawaii plants with backpacks packed with their camera, phone, notebooks & food.

3 vans drove up to their destination where students clamored out of the vans to admire & take pictures of the breathtaking views of the west & north shore, large surf, hear a brief summary of the area and brush off their shoes to prevent the transfer of alien seeds, bacteria, etc into the preserve.

At the entry of the red path, an ‘oli, “E Ho Mai”, was presented asking for wisdom to be bestowed upon the participants where a special kind of learning would take place in this forest.

While trekking up the slippery, and at times steep, path students assisted each other and provided words of encouragement. The group periodically stopped along the trail to learn about particular plants referring to vocabulary which were introduced to earlier in the week (indigenous, endemic, parasitic, etc). They observed markers where planted propagated endangered plants are monitored, identified & learned about the importance and how the native plants were used in Hawaiian culture.

At one point a 3 foot high corrugated metal exclosure suddenly appeared: one of the first built for the protection of Kahuli, the endemic Hawaiian Tree Snail, from unwanted predators like rats, Jackson Chameleons, and carnivorous snails.

Here excitement filled the air with the spotting of a Kahuli.

The Kahuli are hermaphrodites that reside on the same plant for its entire lifespan & have approximately 4 live births per year.

Arriving at the beautiful vista with a stunning view of makua valley and beach, all sat to eat lunch while enjoying the view, the incoming shrouding clouds and each other through reflection conversation.

After recharging at the summit, the group headed back to the vans but stopped to take back a planting stand that was no longer needed.

Throughout the hike, it was evident through student actions they shared a mutual admiration for each other and respect for the environment.

This truly was a huaka’i ‘imi’ike (a journey to see & learn) with laulima (working together) interlaced, where students learned the importance to malama honua as well as malama i kekahi i kekahi, where the message of the World Wide Voyage to “Malama Island Earth – our natural environment, children and humankind” was evident.

Note: An ahupua’a is a traditional Hawaiian type land division, similar to a town. However, unlike “modern” land divisions, ahupua’a stretched from mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean), and usually included a source of wai (water). This helped to ensure that anyone living in the ahupua’a would have access to all of the resources they needed to survive.

Kawaikui, Wailupe, Kona, Oʻahu —

By Diane Tom-Ogata.

A symphony of excitement, curiosity, and smiles invaded Kawaikui Park as Kumu Michelle Kapana-Baird & her students from Kaiser High School led groups of Ms. Dori Kim’s Aina Haina Elementary students through rounds of hands-on learning and wonderment.

Amongst the soft lapping of the ocean & warm slow breeze, you could see the glee as students ran with their kites, the expressions of surprise at the taste of limu, the tilt of a head & slightly furrowed brow as students listened intently about the importance of limu, the looks of anticipation waiting to see how much limu was collected along the beach, the determined intense faces & chatter while making limu lei and the amazement of using an anemometer to measure wind speed.

Littered along the shore was debris which transects were placed over. Using gloves as a safety measure, dried debris was collected within the transect & deposited in an assigned a mesh bag.

At the limu tent, were two Citizen Science Kupuna to share their mana’o. Both Uncles were steadfast in their belief that passing down knowledge to kids is important.

Uncle Henry described limu as a “vegetable” as students munched on a couple of varieties. “I think it’s important that we teach the kids about limu,” says Uncle Wally, “And I think it’s because it’s a big part of the environment. What people don’t realize is that limu is the base of the food web of the ocean.”

Uncle Wally shared the cultural traditional & importance of limu. Probing questions and challenging pronunciation of Palahalaha added to the enjoyment of learning.

The limu lesson was not over: PVS crew member Max Mukai shared with the kids that “the amazing thing about limu is that, when the invasive are taken away, the native will return and find a way to flourish.” Students made limu lei and watched as PVS Crew Members took out the limu “lei” to plant.

This was a day of fun learning that no rubric or standard can measure. And memories which will be imbedded in the minds of these children forever.

Maunalua, Kona, ʻOahu–

By Ben Dumaran Jr. (October 26, 2013).

Today the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Hokule`a Crew members gave back to the Maunalua Community just a portion of the support they have shown us. We provided physical labor, a students ear or a young heart to various organizations within the community and it was with great respect, aloha and mahalo we did so.

 To start off the day we met with Chris Cramer and the Maunalua fishpond Heritage Crew at Kalauha`iha`i Fishpond. The crews goal was to provide Chris and his team with labor in clearing the invasive Koa Haole bush so Chris briefly gave us the sad background of this small but amazing pond, the plans for the work and then we attacked. It’s amazing what a group of people working together for a common purpose can achieve. 

 At our second stop of the day, Laura Kaakua working with Liveable Hawaii Kai Hui gave us a tour and history lesson of Hawea Heiau and Keawawa Wetlands. Rich in cultural history, Hawea has one of the last ancient coconut groves in the islands and boasts the tallest recorded coconut tree in the nation. Laura and the Hui saved the last 5 acres of Keawawa Wetlands from destruction by careless developers and commercial housing.

The last stop took us to see the source of our spirit, our knowledge and our culture; to see our Kupuna at Lunalilo Retirement Home. The Kupuna studied the history of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Hokule`a prior to the canoes arrival in Maunalua and it showed in their excitement upon meeting us. Songs and stories were shared from both sides which made for a lively time. Talking with the Kupuna is always a great way to brighten and enrich your life.

Information on these organizations can be found at: www.maunaluafishpondheritage.org , maunalua.net , Liveable Hawaii Kai Hui and Lunalilo.org .