Sponsoring Organization: `Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi

`Ahahui Malam I Ka Lokahi is a non-profit organization created by native Hawaiians who recognize that Hawaii's unique native plants, animals, and ecosystems represent a vital cultural resource in danger of extinction. We believe that Hawaii's native ecosystems provide the cultural heart of its people, the basics for traditional material culture and constitutes what makes the Hawaiian link to the land unique in the world.

`Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi is focused on Kawai Nui Marsh, located near Kailua, Oahu, and has, over many years, made it an outdoor learning center where young and old alike can volunteer their time and effort to plant native plants and restore damaged wetlands areas and to learn about native ecosystems.

Dates of the Program: July 8 - July 19, 2002

Date of Arrival to Honolulu: July 7, 2002 (opening sunset picnic at the beach)

Last Date of Program: July 19, 2002 culminating with a Hawaiian luau

Date of Departure from Honolulu: July 20, 2002

Tuition: $815 US dollars (includes all lodging, programming, ground transportation, meal costs; excludes airfare and personal expenses).

`Ahahui is currently applying for funding to several Hawaii foundations. We will hear the outcomes of our applications in June. `Ahahui will reimburse families of all participating students an appropriate amount based upon the total of outside funding received.

Tuition is to be made payable to Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi and will be due on ______________. The tuition will be collected at your schools by teachers and will be remitted to `Ahahui.

Participating Schools:

• Goulburn Valley Grammar School in Shepparton, Australia;
• Northholm Grammar School in Sydney, Australia;
• Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon;
• Turningpoint School in Culver City, California;
• Ke Kula `O Kamakau Charter School in Kailua, Hawaii.

Total number of Students in the Program: Thirty-five (35)

Key Administrator for the Wetlands Program:

Joshua Reppun, Graduate Student, University of Hawaii; teacher of US History, La Pietra - Hawaii School for Girls
Contact: joshreppun@aol.com; phone (808) 942-0867

Total number of teacher chaperones: Nine (9)

Lodging:

Atherton YMCA
1820 University Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Phone (808) 946-0253

Lodging will be a "camping" atmosphere indoors at the Atherton YMCA. Boys and girls sleeping areas will be on different floors of the YMCA and supervised by the teacher chaperones.

Meals:

All meals will be catered with exceptions on weekends when the students and teachers will make choices from nearby eateries. The students will have many opportunities to try new cuisines and we may plan for some cooking activities together as there is a kitchen at our disposal at the YMCA.

Classroom Activities and lab work:

Windward Community College and Kalaheo High School

Program Overview

This program will provide a 2-week program integrating classroom activities with on-site field and research work at Kawai Nui Marsh. The marsh will provide an authentic context for learning about the management and stewardship of the Hawaiian marshlands and provide direct connections to the academic coursework.

Students will take on the roles of researchers, historians and storytellers guided by these discovery questions:

1. What is the current state of the marsh?
2. How did it get this way?
3. How has the marsh changed over time?
4. What should the state of the marsh be in the future?
5. What role did humans play in changing the marsh?
6. What role should humans play in changing the marsh in the future?

Students will explore topics such as:

1. Reinforcement of wetland science - water cycles, food chain and food web in marsh ecosystems, types and characteristics of wetlands, animal and plant life, soils;
2. Social issues related to wetlands - threats and protection issues;
3. Community service - wetland stewardship
4. Compare and contrasting Kawai Nui marsh with the wetlands in the students' home localities;

Students will develop skills such as:

1. Use of graphing calculators and probes;
2. Tests for nitrates, phosphates, ammonia, etc.
3. Reading of wetland inventory and topographical maps
4. Use of scientific equipment;
5. Visual assessment and observations;
6. Aquatic sampling, gathering weather data, recording scientific data

Other interdisciplinary activities that are tentatively scheduled into the program (this may change subject to further discussion by teachers co-creating the program):

1. Team building exercises
2. Paddling and sailing
3. Hawaiian luau
4. Hawaiian crafts and traditional art forms
5. Hawaiian chants and songs (especially those related to the marsh and Kailua or the Windward side of Oahu)
6. Interpretive hikes
7. Hawaiian literature (myths, legends, folklore, story telling)

Classroom Schedule:

8:00 - 11:30 AM
Field and research studies at Kawai Nui Marsh (this time could also include interpretive hikes or outdoor environmental work outside the Marsh related to the tropical ecosystems) 1:00 - 3:30 PM
Lab and classroom work; field work as necessary.

Potential Outcomes

1. Community forum presented by the students as a culmination of their summer studies at which time they will present their findings and learning to local civic and environmental groups. Samples of their learning may be presented through a multimedia presentation which can later be transferred to a website and to other publishable products to be shared with a greater, interested audience;
2. Joint student presentation at the 2003 Pacific Basin Conference in Brisbane, Australia;
3. The Hawaii model can be replicated at any participating school site to sustain the learning and broaden student perspectives.

Responsible staff members:
Dr. Chuck Burrows, President, Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi and retired science teacher;
Mr. Eric Guinther, Aquatic Biologist, Board Member of Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi;
Mr. Josh Reppun, Administrator of Wonderful Wetlands Summer 2002 Program
All teacher chaperones from the participating schools.

Student Expectations of the Program

1. Is willing to learn and experience new things;
2. Enjoys working outside and to "muck" about;
3. Desires to make new friends;
4. Is developmentally ready for a trip away from home;
5. Shares knowledge and skills;
6. Possesses good knowledge and background on the basics of wetlands science;
7. Has some personal experience working in a wetland;
8. Enjoys "camping" atmosphere;
9. Has demonstrated good collaborative skills and enjoys working with peers and values team work;
10. Is attentive and can follow directions;
11. Has knowledge of basic computer skills.

[Hawaii Wetlands] .. [`Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi]