Academics
Middle School
Ho'okupu Day #2!
Our Second Ho'okupu day for our Service Learning Project was Friday January 26th. Ho’okupu means giving back and Middle School students will work in collaboration with various community organizations to be stewards of the ‘aina. Students were assigned to a group split into cross grade levels.
Group #1: Makauwahi Cave Reserve (SOUTH)
Makauwahi cave is the largest limestone cave in Hawaii. It offers archaeological and palaeoecological finds and gives us a glimpse of how the Mahaulepu Valley was formed. The area around the cave is also a wetland habitat welcoming over 100 native plants, endangered and endemic species. Students worked in collaboration with Billie Dawson, Senior Plant Specialist at Makauwahi Cave Reserve and worked to remove invasive plants and be instructed on birds and wetlands.
Group #2: Island School Campus (EAST)
Students participated in a campus beautification project that included recycling, gardening and campus beautification. Students enjoyed a barbeque lunch on the upper field!
Group #3: Waipā (NORTH)
Students in the north shore group explored the historical and cultural significance of Waipā. There, their community service project included Kalo Farming and Maintaining the Hawaiian Ditch System. Students enjoyed lunch and swimming at the Waipā River Mouth.
Group#4: Mālama Hulē‘ia, Partnering with Island School’s ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi students (Central)
Students worked in collaboration with Mālama Hulē‘ia. Mālama Hulē‘ia is a Hawaii nonprofit formed to: “advocate for and lead a community effort to eradicate mangrove and other invasive plant species from the Hulē‘ia estuary and river, to replant all areas cleared with native or Polynesian-introduced vegetation, and to establish a stewardship program and organization that will sustain the restored Hulē‘ia watershed in ways consistent with traditional Hawaiian beliefs and practices in caring for and cultivating land and water.” Students enjoyed lunch and time at the beach in the afternoon.
