By Cyanne Ito
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Not many students take the time to appreciate and give back to the aina, however that is exactly what Hawaiian language students did from May 23 to 27 on the small island of Kahoolawe. Students also got a unique opportunity to learn about the island’s history in person.
“We know this generation is a little bit different so for myself I take my students up there just for labor intensive, but at the same time … we need to figure out restoration … We all have to give back, and that’s the main reason I take my students to Kahoolawe, to sacrifice their time to do something for the betterment of others, for humans or the island,” said Hawaiian Language teacher Kekoa Wong.
During their five-day trip, students stayed at Hakioawa on Kahoolawe and participated in community service projects such as building a pathway and harvesting native plants. “We harvested uala, which is like sweet potato and (they were) the first crops that were grown on the island, and we were the first people to harvest them so it was like super awesome,” said Junior Mazi Lucas.
Not only did students learn about how to give back to the land, but also personal lessons as well. “Kahoolawe teaches you more than what books can teach you, it’s a feeling that I can’t explain. It taught me more about myself, being on the island,” said Junior Kanoelani Ackerly. “I just learned about all the different places on Kahoolawe, because when people talk about Kahoolawe it’s just ‘Oh yeah that old island.’ And I learned a lot about what happened there, and how significant it was, and it even inspired me to do my (National History Day) project on Kahoolawe,” said Lucas.
Students and teachers also took the time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Kahoolawe. “When you’re on the island … you don’t think about stress and school and dramas, you’re just in the zone and working on something that’s important,” said Ackerly. “It’s someplace (where) you’re removed from the normal activities of Oahu. So you’re kind of taken back to a time where there’s no showers, there’s no running water,” Wong added.
Bringing back with them a renewed love for the land from the trip, both students and teachers look forward to returning to Kahoolawe.
