I have the opportunity to spend sometime with the local students on the North Shore of Kauai, in Hanalei, at the local Hanalei Community Centre. The students, aged 5 – 12 years old, are in a summer program called Halele’a Cultural Exploration Program (HCEP). The program is inherent of culturally based curriculum designed to teach Hawaiian values, ‘Olelo No’eau (Hawaiian words of wisdom), hula, songs & chants, arts & crafts, educational excursions and beach outings.

School Systems in Hawai’i

Hawai’i is the only state in the United States that has designated a native language, Hawaiian, as one of its two official state languages.  Hawaiian language immersion schools are recognized educational institutions, grades K-12, that speak English starting in Grade 5. Most of the students in the Halele’a Cultural Exploration Summer Program come from the immersion system, however, there are also locals participating from the public or charter (private) schools.

My Day with the Keiki at HCEP

Keiki translates to children in the Hawaiian Language, so in the summer program everyone is referred to as Keiki in the classroom. The Keiki impressed me with their knowledge of the local language and love for traditional Hawaiian culture. Everyday the Keiki learn a daily Hawaiian value. This day they learned the meaning of LOKOMAIKAI which expresses the meaning to share with each other and the be generous. They also reviewed yesturday’s daily Hawaiian value, Aloha, which means to love, have compassion, respect. They sang chants in the Hawaiian Language to share these values.

Field Trip to the Gardens to Observe Native Plants

 

 

Our educational field trip to Limahuli Garden and Preserve was a fantastic day!

“In Hawaiian, the name Limahuli means “turning hands,” which recognizes the ancient Hawaiians who built agricultural terraces out of lava rock and planted cultivars of kalo (taro), an important cultural food crop.”

When we arrived at the gardens, we chanted the daily value song to the tour guides as a permission to enter into the Limahuli Garden and Preserve. I was explained this for respect and honour of the ancient land.

The plants in the botanical gardens were significant to the early inhabitants, as well as native species. The property includes a plantation-era garden, as well as invasive species that were introduced by modern man. Limahuli Stream, one of the last pristine waterways left in the Islands, provides a habitat for indigenous aquatic life.

Behind the garden is the preserve where conservationists and restoration biologists are working to preserve species native to this habitat.

The keiki had the chance to tour the garden and also to work the land. They were given the job to weed the stream so water could flow through with ease. After a lot of effort, we observed how freely the water flowed down the mountain all the way into the ocean. The keiki were proud and understood the importance of this stream.

While walking up the mountain we talked more about the native and introduced species of plants to Hawaii. We had the chance to try safe medicinal plants and talk about the mountains and ancient stories they hold. The field trip was over the top for everyone! We had an amazing day and the experiential learning provided everyone with a successful experience.

A jump in the river after a days hike and work!