Wahiawa, O’ahu —

By Sarah Balmilero and Micah Rabang.

Students of Ho’āla School in Wahiawa, O’ahu continued their learning journey with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, venturing into the nearby town of Hale’iwa. As the school bus approached the boat harbor, excitement reached new highs for the young students when Hōkūle’a came into view. The children hurried down the bus steps and across the parking lot to get a better look at the famed voyaging canoe.

Throughout the morning, trade winds blew against the faces of the eager children while Hōkūle’a rocked gently in the harbor waters. The students of Ho’āla split into groups and cycled through various hands-on activities and dockside lessons.  One of the lessons involved looking at microscopic organisms through various tools, including a state-of-the-art cellscope – a microscope that attaches to an iPhone!

At the other stations, crewmembers demonstrated various techniques that apply to the voyaging of Hōkūle’a. The students received the experiences of knot tying, using a star compass,and touring the Hōkūle’a herself.  While atop the wa’a (canoe), students had the opportunity to maneuver the sweep, unfurl her enchanting sail, and observe what life aboard is really like. Wandering about her gleaming deck and climbing into her cozy bunks, the students were forever changed.

Afterwards, the students and crew headed across Hale’iwa’s famous Rainbow Bridge to the Loko Ea fishpond.  They toured the shimmering ponds and learned about fishing techniques, plants, and the Kawailoa Ahupua’a. The ponds were loaded with kaku (barracuda), ulua (giant trevally), and ‘ama’ama (mullet).  The teachers and students (K through 12) intend to return to Loko Ea to work on a service project in the coming weeks.

Wahiawa, O’ahu —

By Micah Rabang and Sarah Balmilero. As the morning school bell rang, the hall of Ho’ala School, located in Wahiawa on the island of O’ahu, filled with the voices of excited children in anticipation. Today was the day they would begin building the Ho’ala School Peace Garden, working side by side with visiting crew members of Hōkūleʻa. Thanks to Maggie Pulver, the Science and Service Learning teacher, also a Hōkūleʻa crewmember-in-training, funds were secured from the HaSTA Chevron grants for the school to build this innovative and sustainable peace garden, which will eventually produce edible, medicinal, and  plants for the school as well as the crew of the Hōkūleʻa.

Unable to life cinder blocks and fish tanks, the younger students worked to replant koa tree saplings that were started from seeds the students collected in the summer of 2012 during the school’s Camp Kokua program, a two-week service learning camp. The trees are intended to help offset the carbon footprint of the World Wide Voyage. These tiny koas, although small and individual now, will be used as powerful gifts of peace in the months to come. 

After the construction of the garden beds and re-potting of the koa trees, middle and high school students met with crew members Ryan and Captain Kamaki of the Hōkūleʻa and “talked-story” for a little while.  The students asked questions about things ranging from life aboard Hōkūleʻa and her upcoming journey ahead, to the types of animals seen out at sea.  One student even asked which animals the crew members preferred.  Dolphins were among the winners.

As the school day was coming to a close, the buzz among the students around the day’s events were not.  The talk was all garden, koas, and the upcoming learning journey to visit Hōkūleʻa the following day.  The lives of Ho’ala students were significantly impacted by the day’s experience.  You could feel it.  The excitement of tomorrow waiting just over the horizon…

Lāhainā, Maui —

By Sacred Hearts School 8^th graders: JP Hill, Erin Tsue, and Chanel Charbonnier.

“God guides us on a new path towards a sustainable future, with enhanced education and a love for the land and each other.” – Sacred Hearts Class of 2014

The mission of the Sacred Hearts School’s Class of 2014 is to enhance and revolutionize education by bringing the students out of the classroom and experiencing school in a more hands-on fashion.

To know where we come from and become familiar with our sense of place, we need to know what is happening in our own backyard. The Sacred Hearts Middle School students had a perfect opportunity to branch out to our community and learn about our own backyard, while bonding and starting off the year with a learning experience on August 13, 2013.  Students connected with Captain Timi Gilliom, apprentice navigator, Kala Baybayan, and crewmembers Katherine Smith, Shonna Lohman, Vavai, Glenn, Willi, and Gilda at Kamehameha Iki Park where we spent the day learning about Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani which will be launched on December 21, 2013 (winter solstice).  We learned about the ancient Hawaiians ways and the importance of retaining and carrying on those practices. Katherine Smith greeted us saying, “First we need to know our piko, where we come from, before we go out in the world, because it will always be a part of us.”

This quote has more meaning than what meets the eye because it applies to many things in life.  For instance, if you are take care of something then it will take care of you. It’s the golden rule that we all learned in elementary school.  Our 8^th grade teacher, Mrs. Waldrop always says, ”What you put out into the world will circulate and come back to you.”

“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who forgot where they're from.” -Anonymous

Sometimes our generation forgets where we’ve come from. We’re all about computers, phones and other electronics. Our ancestors did not have computers, phones and electronics. Instead they had the ocean, the sun and the stars. Some people may not have even heard about the Hokule’a or Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani. That is why the World Wide Voyage of Hokule’a, the launching of Mo’okiha O Pi’ilani, and the changes many other organizations are trying to make are so important. By teaching future generations about where they come from, they will have a Sense of Place.

“If you take care of your canoe, it will take care of you.” – Crew of the Mo’okiha

For more information on Mo’okiha, Sacred Hearts School or the 8^th grade at Sacred Hearts School visit: http://www.huiowaa.org. www.sacredheartsschool.net, www.shs8thgrade.weebly.com

Kona, Moku o Keawe —

By Nahaku Kalei and Linda Furuto. The vision of Konawaena Middle School includes students will respect cultures and heritages, be prepared for current and future endeavors, make positive choices, and be creative and inquisitive.  From the opening ʻoli to the closing reflections, a day spent with approximately 100 7^th graders revealed how deeply these values and beliefs have been instilled in each child.

There is a special significance and gravity to this learning journey.  Today was the result of countless conversations and meetings in which PVS leadership advised the path to creating large-scale, necessary changes in education was through teachers.  Communities throughout Hawaiʻi and networks of teachers understood the importance of taking care of our island earth inside and outside the classroom.  A fire was ignited and over the years the waʻa ʻohana has played a large role in making each outreach event happen.  This unique and special learning journey was initiated and executed by an ambitious and inspired teacher and her like-hearted teaching team.

According to Shari Jumalon, 7^th grade teacher at Konawaena Middle School, “The kids really got a lot out of it because they didn’t know a lot about the worldwide voyage.  By doing this learning journey before visiting Hōkūleʻa next Monday, it sparked excitement like ‘oh, I just can’t wait now!’  They want to go and see the canoe.  Not that they didn’t want to before, but I’ve never had a field trip where 100% of the required forms were submitted early in the 7^th grade.”  The 7^th grade Mālama Team also includes teachers Will Georges (science), Leonel Vela (mathematics), Iwalani McCalla (social studies), and Misty Houchens (resource teacher).

The all-day event included four stations that helped prepare students for their upcoming visit to Hōkūleʻa in Kawaihae next week Monday.  These sessions were: creating a star compass, building waʻa, knot tying, and a portable planetarium.  Through these activities, friendships were made, new knowledge was gained, and most importantly, lifelong lessons grounded in the mission and values of Konawaena Middle School were imparted—mahalo nui to our inspiring teachers!

Miloli’i —

(Shari Jumalon, July 23, 2013). On the morning of July 22, 2013 we arrived in the South Kona fishing village of Miloli’i.

Often esteemed as one of the last Hawaiian fishing village, Miloli’i residents pride themselves in upholding their traditional fishing practices. We were greeted by the families that reside in the area with a warm welcome.

Miloli’I is known for their annual Lawai’a ‘Ohana Camp, where participating keiki are taught traditional Hawaiian fishing methods within the three days. Some of the techniques taught are: Hawaiian ‘Opelu fishing (with net); Night Fishing for ‘Aweoweo, Ka-ka- fishing for ‘Opakapaka; Ka’ili fishing for Moana (casting); ‘Upena Ho’olei (throw net); and building imu (stacking rocks in shallow water to catch Manini when they hide in the rocks).

According to Walter Kahiwa Jr, a retired teacher, “The main goal of the Lawai’a Camp is to revive the fishing traditions.  Since the death of several influential Kupuna (Walter Paulo & Eddie Ka’anana) there has been a decline in the fishing lifestyle.”  Both men were noted experts in Hawaiian fishing methods, particularly ‘Opelu fishing.

Since these important techniques were quickly becoming endangered, the community took quick action and created the Miloli’i Community Hui.  With the assistance of Kua o ka La Public Charter School, Hipu’u o Miloli’I Charter School has successfully completed its first school year.  The school utilizes various teaching approaches like blended online instructional curriculum and face to face meetings and community based projects, along with Hawaiian language & cultural connection.

Each student is issued a tablet with academic software where approximately 50% of the math, science, history, and language art/English lessons are delivered online. There is no tuition but internet access is required for students to complete their assignments.

Through this community effort, the Miloli’i community is working towards restoring the fishing ko’a to previous productivity level. “Back in the days every family would care for a fishing ko’a.  When we used to go (fish for ‘Opelu) the canoes used to be filled to the top, we had to jump in the water to make room,” according to Kahiwa.  Through the Lawai’a Camps and the new charter school, “We are relearning to Malama the fishing ko’a and taking only what we need so the fishing ko’a can thrive again,” Kahiwa.

Every night during the week-long stay we shared various videos about voyaging, starting with “Papa Mau: The Wayfinder”.

While in Miloli’i we were visited by numerous people especially the keiki of Miloli’i.  Many of them visited everyday and the kids even joined the crew on the 3 hour sail to Ho’okena.