Lelekamanu is our outreach and service project division on Oʻahu that encompasses a variety of educational opportunities that occur outside of the ahupuaʻa of Heʻeia. These include field trips to marine and terrestrial conservation areas and active restoration sites, partnering with other community organizations on mālama ʻāina-based initiatives, and participating in native vegetation restoration projects throughout Hawai’i and the Pacific. Our goal is to take the lessons of Papahana Kuaola to the wider community, with an emphasis on restoration projects that improve ecological, cultural, and physical health and well-being.

Nā Papa

The 90-minute interactive classroom presentations introduce elementary school teachers and students to the fundamentals of Hawaiian natural and cultural history. Nā papa include PowerPoint slideshows, a variety of visual aids, and engaging student activities.

GRADE 3:

Hawaiian Streams – Native stream ecosystems, form and function of stream organisms, and human interactions with streams from ancient times until today.

Hawaiian Watersheds – Components of watersheds and their values, human interaction from ancient times until today, moʻolelo, healthy versus unhealthy watersheds, and status of watersheds today.

Hawaiian Wetlands – Native wetland ecosystems, form and function of wetland organisms, endangered Hawaiian water birds, cultural connections, and impact and mālama.

GRADE 4:

Hawaiian Geology – Cultural traditions connected to volcanoes and modern scientific theory of how Hawaiian volcanoes form and change over time.

Native Hawaiian Plants & Animals – Arrival of native organisms in Hawai‘i, adaptation over time to specific habitats, and values in Hawaiian cultural traditions.

Human Interaction with the Hawaiian Environment I (pre–1778) – Changes in population, settlement patterns, government, religion, and food production from the first Polynesian settlers until 1778.

Human Interaction with the Hawaiian Environment II (post–1778) – Modifications to the environment since 1778, including impact due to population growth, an influx of introduced plants and animals, and mālama ‘āina.

***NEW*** Mālama I Ke Kai – Benefits of healthy oceans and shorelines throughout the world (with a focus on the Hawaiian Islands), from ancient times until today, the challenges these habitats are facing, and ways we can become responsible stewards of these habitats.

GRADES 5 & 6:

Native Hawaiian Plants & Animals – The process of adaptation, including adaptive radiation and coevolution, that results in the development of endemic Hawaiian plants and animals. Addresses the values of native organisms in Hawaiian cultural traditions.

Human Interaction with the Hawaiian Environment – Changes made by people to the Hawaiian environment over the last 1500 years. Reasons for high rates of endangered and extinct species; and living Hawaiian values.

Nā HUAKAʻI

Nā Huaka‘i

The 6-hour interpretive place-based field trips include bus tours, walking tours, hikes, a stream investigation, and service learning, all of which involve students in hands-on experiences. During nā huaka‘i, education staff build on the cultural and scientific knowledge students gained from classroom presentations and resource materials included in Discovery Boxes. Specific nā papa are prerequisite to certain nā huaka‘i.

GRADE 3:

Ha‘ikū Stream Study – Perform scientific inquiry about Ha‘ikū Stream and participate in mālama ‘āina activities in the lo‘i kalo and the stream.

Hawaiian Watersheds Tour – Explore Hawaiian watersheds on a multi-stop tour including the Nuʻuanu Reservoir/Watershed with the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, a channelized stream and rain garden in the Keaʻahala Watershed, a natural stream, and a site tour at Waipao in the Heʻeia Watershed.

Hawaiian Wetlands Tour – Experience Hawaiian wetlands on a multi-stop tour including a rare opportunity to view taxidermic displays at BYUH Museum of Natural History in Lā‘ie and observe endangered and migratory wetland birds in their natural habitat at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku.

Service Learning Experience – E mālama ‘āina. Take action to care for the unique cultural and natural resources of Hawai‘i through service learning experiences. Service Learning Experiences may be added to any Unit. See attached list for details and current projects.

GRADE 4:

Hawaiian Geology Bus Tour (Kona & ʻEwa) – Explore the rich cultural traditions and captivating volcanic history on a multi-stop tour of central O‘ahu, starting at Pu‘u o Kaimukī , then onto Ala Pu‘umalu (within Ālia Pa‘akai/Salt Lake crater), and finally Nahele Community Park (overlooking Pu‘uloa/Pearl Harbor). Locate Hawaiian minerals and participate in a geology and mo‘olelo quiz game.

Hawaiian Geology Bus Tour (Kona & Koʻolaupoko) – Explore the rich cultural traditions and captivating volcanic history on a multi-stop tour of southeast O‘ahu, including Pu‘u o Kaimukī and Makapu‘u, and participate in a pōhaku scavenger hunt.

He‘eia Bus Tour – Learn the history and traditions of He‘eia ahupua‘a on a multi-stop excursion from kai to kula to uka.

Kamananui Valley Hike – Walk three miles on the Kamananui Valley Road Trail in Moanalua, identify native and introduced plants, observe human impact, and discover the history and traditions of this ‘āina.

Ko‘olau Bus Tour (Koʻolaupoko & Koʻolauloa)– He‘eia to Lā‘ie route is available to Windward and Honolulu area schools only. Join us on a cultural bus tour beginning in the ahupua’a of He‘eia and traveling up the Ko‘olau coast as far as Lā‘ie. Focusing on literacy through mo‘olelo, highlights include place names, gods, and wahi pana (special places).

Ko‘olau Bus Tour (Waialua & Koʻolauloa) – Wahiawā to Paumalū/Sunset Beach route is available to Central, ‘Ewa, and North Shore area schools only. Join us on a cultural bus tour beginning at Kūkaniloko in Wahiawā, traveling along the Ko‘olau coast through Hale‘iwa and as far as Paumalū/Sunset Beach. Focusing on literacy through mo‘olelo, highlights include place names, gods, and wahi pana (special places).

***NEW*** Mālama I Ke Kai – E mālama ‘āina. Participate in service (collecting invasive limu or marine debris) at Pu‘uloa Beach Park, Kawaiku‘i Beach Park, or Waimanalo Bay Beach Park to connect the ocean and shoreline to Hawaiian cultural and natural history. Hear a mo‘olelo about ke kai. Hands-on activities include observing, predicting, collecting, tallying, comparing results, and more. NOTE: Students will not be going into the ocean on this field trip.

Mānana Trail Hike – Trek two miles on the Mānana Trail in Mānana (often referred to as Pearl City), identify native and introduced plants, observe human impact, and discover the history and traditions of this ‘āina.

Wai‘anae Bus & Walking Tour – Take part in a multi-stop bus and walking tour through coastal areas in the moku of Wai‘anae, and learn about the rich cultural and natural history of this ‘āina. Stops start at Mākaha, including Kāneana Cave, and end at Keawa‘ula. (Available to ‘Ewa & Wai‘anae schools only.)

Waipao Tour – Explore Waipao in He‘eia ma uka, participate in mālama ‘āina activities in the lo‘i kalo, learn cultural skills and Hawaiian mo‘olelo, and gain knowledge of the history and traditions of this ‘āina.

GRADES 5 & 6:

Recommended field trips for grades 5 & 6 are the Kamananui Valley Hike, Mānana Trail Hike, Maunawili Hike, and the Service Learning Experience. Refer to summaries (above and below) of each field trip.

Maunawili Hike – Trek three miles on the Maunawili Trail in Kailua, identify native and introduced plants, observe human impact, and discover the history and traditions of this ‘āina.

Lelekamanu Oahu

Nā Papa

Nā HUAKAʻI