Na Kahumoku - Saving the world, one child at a time

Saving the world, one child at a time

by Kim Eaton
West Hawaii Today
keaton@westhawaiitoday.com
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 8:39 AM HST

Juliet Palu, left, a Na Kahumoku volunteer, digs a hole to plant an alahee plant as students look on. - Photo By Brad Ballesteros | Special To West Hawaii Today

Patrick McCoy, like many eighth-graders, never really gave much thought to how little things could impact the environment -- until he was introduced to Na Kahumoku.

Now, he looks at his simple wristwatch with a deeper understanding and appreciation.

"My watch, it's so small, but they burned a lot of rubber just to create it," the 13-year-old said. "But (the program) also gets us back into our culture so we don't forget and can teach it to others."

An environmental youth leadership program at Kealakehe Intermediate School, Na Kahumoku strives to instill environmental awareness, leadership skills and cultural education to students through the use of community service projects and visits to historic sites.

"Kids can't focus because we expect them to be chained to a desk all day. That's not natural," said program founder and coordinator Douglass Bartlett. "They need to get out and explore the environment they're trying to save."

The program is a collaborative effort between Family Support Services of West Hawaii, the Department of Education and the numerous nonprofit entities who host students as they perform service, such as invasive species eradication, reforestation and site cleanups.

Na Kahumoku began as an after-school program two years ago and expanded into an elective leadership class for eighth-graders last year.

Plans to expand further are in the works, thanks to a "Hope for Kids" grant from the Hauoli Mau Loa Foundation. The program recently received a three-year, $100,000 per year grant that has allowed Bartlett to bring another full-time youth leadership coach and a kumu on board, as well as expand the service opportunities available to students.

Mike Donoho, of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, briefs eighth-grade students on a plan to flush out sheep in a forest restoration area. - Photo By Brad Ballesteros | Special To West Hawaii Today

"We've learned about how to help the land. It's important that we make it a better place to live," said 13-year-old Judah Aldorasi. "If you look at the rate that our natural resources are going down and the effect of global warming, it's scary. But the class is also teaching us leadership skills so we can lead our younger siblings and students and guide them in the right direction."

The selection process for the 20-student class involves teacher referrals or individual interest, as well as an interview. Bartlett said selection is not based solely on grades or ethnicity, but rather the leadership potential in each student.

Through hands-on, interactive learning, students are taught higher level thinking through debate, reflective questioning and other character education, Bartlett said. There is also a heavy emphasis on Hawaiian values and Polynesian practices with the teaching of dance, chant and Hawaiian protocol.

A few remaining sheep manage to elude students attempting to flush them out of an enclosed area. - Brad Ballesteros | Special To West Hawaii Today

"The generation of this time will either be taught to preserve the resources of the Earth or become part of the destruction," said Kumu Larry Ursua. "This program helps the kids better understand the environment on land and offshore and relate it to the inside and outside of them. ... It's important to find the authenticity of each student."

For 13-year-old Ambriel Hewitt, the class seemed like a perfect way to spend more time with her friends. But she soon discovered it was more than that. It taught her about herself, the leadership qualities she would need as an adult, her culture and the world around her, Hewitt said. The class also helped sharpen her public speaking skills and increased her appreciation for the place she lives.

While the program currently works with eighth-graders, Bartlett has submitted another grant proposal to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs with the hope of starting one at the high school level, and eventually open the program to younger grade level students as well.

"My dream is that this program is an example of what a nonprofit organization and public education can do when they put their heads together to create something creative and effective for the kids," Bartlett said.