Kaloko-Honohokau National Historical Park

Each year, the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park host Big Island 4th grade students for two days of cultural and educational activities highlighting the Hawaiian culture and the wonderful natural resources of the park. There are stations about making tapa cloth, Hawaiian games, fish printing, fish identification, throw net fishing, Hawaiian arts and crafts and, of course the Hawaiian green turtle or HONU. HPA students and faculty have supported the festival for many years by hosting an informational booth about Honu and various aspects of the biology, ecology and conservation.

This year, Mrs. Jim and 6 of her HPA Middle School students volunteered their time and expertise to teach 4th grade students about three topics relating to Honu. The students spoke to the students about how and why we "tag" turtles, why the Honu are truely Hawaiian turtles (the Honu life cycle) and how marine debris affects our marine life and environment and what can be done to minimize marine debris since 80 % of it comes from land.

Groups of approximately 20 students were divided into two groups and rotated through a 10 minute talk at each of two stations. Once they had visited both stations, each student got to have their notebook stamped. Given this rotation, the students gave 1 talk every 20 minutes and about 3 an hour... it was exhausting work but the students persevered and continued for a full three hours.

Everyone participating represented HPA very well and I was very proud of their work.

Some video of the day