Windward Oahu: Leading the way in environmental education
Leading the way in environmental education
Hawaii: Leading by example
Hawaii is a small reflection of the world. We must pursue
sustainable solutions to conserve natural resources.
There are many approaches to
Through modern eyes…
June 8, 2015: Hawaii became the first state to
propose fossil fuel-free energy by 2045. This
limits pollution which disrupts marine life and
ecosystems. The bill focuses scattered
initiatives to strive for a common goal.
Looking towards the past…
Hokulea brings old seafaring to the new
world. The vessel proves what we are
capable of accomplishing if we decide to
use our resources wisely. We learn how
dependent we are on the environment.
We have the same opportunities at
Not everyone rides on the Hokulea, but
opportunities are close to home with similar
We become stewards by participating in
The first step is finding a mentor and navigator.
Few sustainability education programs with limited
access to students
Teachers don't have relevant technology to teach
Ambivalent student mentality due to assumptions that
science is hard and uninteresting
Important to link programs to students and educators
Possible solution: sustainability education database
Windward Oahu Education Programs
WIRED: Connects students
grades 6-12 and graduates to
• Increases STEM interest
through field work
• Provides access to field
and lab equipment https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-
Elementary and high school students collect water
quality data in Kaelepulu Stream for Oceanit (Division
of Forestry and Wildlife).
PaCES: Six week environmental
science internship at Windward
• Connects students of different
• Involves teacher training by
• Produces college-level
• Fishpond water quality
Top: PaCES student selects disease associated marine
bacteria for genetic studies.
Left: PaCES mentors train Kamehameha teachers in field
Windward Oahu Education Programs
NALU Studies: Environmental stewardship
program empowering at-risk teenagers
• Students realize their potential for
• Post-program career opportunities
• Program graduates mentor middle
school classes NALU students redefine their
identity through culture and
Finding Our Classroom
• Environmental stewardship: taking responsibility for the land
• Educational and cultural opportunities are found outdoors
• Shows students that science is manageable, fun, and
Learning About the Past
Ahupua`a systems fostered ridge
to reef thinking. Everyting flowed
into the loko.
Unique sluice gates (Makaha)
naturally grew fish.
~500 loko fed all of Oahu.
These practices were taught
through generations at the
Left: Kamehameha School’s representation
of an Ahupua`a showing ridge to reef
Right: The makaha at Waikalua Loko.
The Ancient Icebox
Waikalua Loko is one of 50 to 60 remaining ponds on Oahu. It is a loko kuapa (brakish water
You could obtain 2000 pounds of fish per acre.
It fell into disrepair until 1995 but has since been revitalized.
Though the Waikalua Loko would not be able to feed Kaneohe it is still an important educational
Progress of revitalization efforts in aerial view of the Waikalua Loko.
PC: Waikalula Loko Preservation Society
The Classroom Today
Traditional practices are taught
with modern understanding
involving economics, history, and
Different age groups learn at the
pond from different social
5000 students use all 5 senses with
hands on learning at the pond
Taking care of the fishpond
requires lots of help from different
Managing council involves
cultural specialists, scientists, and
Effective management comes
Limu removal by Castle High
In the future Waikalua Loko hopes to turn the adjacent sewage plant into an
At the facility the intention is to sell fish commercially.
This creates a modern method of aquaculture right next to a traditional method of
The Waikalua Loko will still be used as our outdoor classroom.
How our vessel works
Place-based learning programs involve different
populations in sustainability efforts
Community commons focus many initiatives to feed
Next steps are to qualitate success
PaCES and Castle
High School students
Waikiki Aquarium for
Earth Day Moi
Some anecdotal indicators
There is a decade long running history with national and international
Former students pursue degrees and careers in environmental science
Education programs and school consortiums use our model for learning
PaCES delegation at the 2007 Coastal America
NALU national finalist for science education at
Our network of support
Hui o Ko’olaupoko
Sullivan Center for Innovation and
Center for Microbial
Oceanography Research and
Pacific America Foundation
Waikalua Loko Preservation
The National Science
Islands of Opportunity Alliance
Pam and Pierre
Fish and Wildlife