Day 4 : Geology Bus Tour

Today, were going to see things from a scientific view given by a Geologist,  Dr.John Sinton, he will be our guide and teach us all about the Wai'anae Volcano. He has been studying and doing a lot of researches all over and is one of the first finders of the Ka'ena Volcano. He helped determine possibly a third volcano that happens to be very older than the Wai'anae Volcano. Most of their research is from all of the rocks located there. Dr. Sinton experimented a whole lot and is sharing such important and interesting information all about Volcanoes.

First Stop : Nanakuli Intermediate & High School

Second Stop :  Kaukama Road

There are numerous huge amount of rocks located on this road that is known as Pahoehoe  lava rocks. Pahoehoe lava are smooth and thick rocks. There are also dike rocks that has been drilled in by Geologists for samples. These are all lava flows.

Across the valley has a fantastic view of the low hill of Pu'u Ma'ili'ili and Kailio (Dog) .

Stop 3 : Wai'anae Valley Road

A backroad leads to the back of Wai'anae Valley, where an old dairy used to be and is known as the Wai'anae Volcano caldera . This area is private and is not to be trespassed at some boundaries. Other than that, there are some white rocks, that were carried there and is not to be dumped. The mountains and lava flows outwards which shows that its the inside of the Volcano.

Stop 4 : Poka'i Bay or Ma'ili Beach Park ( LUNCH )

Here has another view of Pu'u Ma'ili'ili, it looks different from Pu'u o Hulu Kai to the south and more leveled. But there are rocks near the ocean side where people usually fish or jump from that was actually Coral reef. You can see the coral on the rocks which says that it used to be underwater or the ocean was higher than all of these huge rocks. There are hidden stories from back then about the he'ao here but it is still unknown of the actual truth. There also native plants here.

& its LUNCH TIME :) Yaaay !

Well, it was a great view from Poka'i Bay but it was time for the next stop and more to learn :)

Stop 5 :Kaneana ( Cave of Kane )

This cave is really special to most people because this is the place where Pele has emerged on Oahu, from Kaua'i and is also where Maui and his grandmother lived. People also say that there was a shark man that once lived here and is probably still living til' this day. There are vertical bodies above and around the cave. It's dark and cold in the cave and very quiet. The lava flows inside are very mixed. There are a'a, pahoehoe, and dike rocks and the rocks proves that waves from the ocean used to come splashing and crashing in and also went higher than the cave.

Last Stop : Roadcuts, South of Makua Valley

A little down from Kāneana, there is a section of hardened sands and coral above lava flows. It is near the road and they were formed by lava flows and the big volcano. There was a change in the sea level and the ocean used to come up where these rocks are at. It's basically a mixture of dike, pāhoehoe, a'a, sand, and even fossils. It was all mixed together due to the Ocean waves, lava flows and air bubbles. Its a very beautiful piece.

After a long and exhausting day, everyone had a great time learning about the west side, and all about Volcanoes & Lava flows. Also enjoying the views and different types of rocks. Now, they wont see it as just some kind of rock, but they know the types and where it came from. Having Mr.Sinton was a pleasure and we are really thankful for sharing what he does for a living and all he knows about our side of the island. Mahalo Mr.Sinton , hope to learn more :)

Day 3 : GIS Guest Speaker

Another Work Day

Today, the students have been taking their Pre-Tests and learned or refreshed their memory about what they have learned recently on Science. They also had another guest speaker, Craig Clouet, the GIS (Geographic information System ) Solutions Engineer at ESRI. He mentioned a lot of new things about apps and things on electronics. Mr.Clouet explained about these new softwares and how useful it can be all though it may be confusing. Much Alohas to Mr. Craig Clouet for such a great presentation and helping us understand the usage of GIS software.

Day 2 : Palehua/ Palikea Hike & Service Project

Palikea Hike

The Wai'anae Malama Aina Field School on their First field trip of the summer. They hiked the Palikea Trail to see the view and collect data of their home, Nanakuli. We were located on Mauna Kapu and then hiked in between Palikea and Mauna Kapu. 

A very experienced couple hiked us through the Palikea Trail, Ranger Thomas Anuheali'i "Anu" and his wife Maka Kamohali'i. They have been on this trail a lot of times and shared their experience and knowledge with the Wai'anae Malama Aina Field School.

On the Palikea Trail, there are numerous amount and different types of Native and Non-Native Plants.

Day 1: Welcome Students!

Beginning of the Wai'anae Malama Aina Field School

WMAFS students are to do a protocal every morning before school starts. They do the " E Hō Mai" to ask their Kupuna(s) for knowledge before starting their day off and the "Kunihi" to ask their teachers for permission to enter. Also, the " Oli Aloha", a welcoming chant about their home, Nānākuli. They even learned a new Oli that was written about Nānākuli. The students were also asked to share some information to get an insight of themselves by making a community circle. This community circle is a tool for unity and a place to share thoughts and ideas or discuss between yourself and others by using the community ball. It's a very useful system. The students were given Water Bottles that were provided by the staff. They even got assigned to groups for their Final project. Cant wait ! :)

Guest Speaker

A very intelligent and experienced man came to acknowledge and teach us about the importance of knowing who you are and where you came from. Mr. Kalehua Krug teaches at UH Manoa and he wrote the Nānākuli Oli and shared it with us. His Oli reveals the mountains of Nānākuli and the significance of it and knowing it. He mentioned a lot of useful information about the changes we can make so we could make it true and to always stand up for yourself and your culture. Don't be ashamed of where you come from or your nationality. Mr.Krug also told us about the changes that's being made in our community and our homes. We must spread the word and get help to become as one and make our home how it should be.

The start of a new adventure -- our field school!

On Monday, June 3, 2013, we launched the Waiʻanae Mālama ʻĀina Field School @ Nānākuli at Nānākuli High & Intermediate School. It has been a lot of work to get to opening day but it was well worth it.  Terra Wight and Jewelynn Kirkland are the core teachers of this 6-week course, supported by a team of educators from a variety of organizations coordinated by the Mālama Learning Center.

The primary goal of the course is to strengthen students’ core skills in science, math, and English/language arts by connecting them to the ‘āina and their culture.  In doing so, the program will engage students in learning and school so that they will be successful learners and contributors to their community, and will begin to understand the role of the 21st century konohiki.  They will also see college and career paths and develop contacts with potential employers. This course offers a math or science recovery credit for students who need it.

One of our students, Sheriece Savea, will be the main author of this blog as part of her course assignments.

We are so excited to launch this program, which would not be possible without the financial and logistical support of the following:
Nānākuli High & Intermediate School
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, PALS/PLACES program
Kamehameha Schools Ka Pua Project
Marisla Foundation
MAʻO Organic Farm
Mālama Learning Center and Hawaiʻi Green Collar Institute

Mahalo also to all our speakers, site visit hosts, and the Pacific American Foundation for use of their materials.