After the disappointing cancellation of the Big Island trip, a yearly grade 8 tradition quashed by the threat of dengue fever, IPA’s faculty and administration scrambled to create an alternative trip for the class of 2020 that would be both enriching and memorable.
Ultimately, the grade 8 students were immersed in environmental workshops and day trips to various locations around the island of O’ahu. “The students in grade 8 performed a number of diverse activities for their week long class trip with an emphasis on putting into practice what they have been studying in their Hawaiian Environmental Science class,” explained Michelle Bradley, Secondary Science Department Chair. First, students learned about the Hawaiian land division that Island Pacific Academy resides in, ‘Ahupua’a ‘o Honouliuli. On Tuesday the students traveled to two valleys on the Leeward coast: Wai’anae Valley and Makaha Valley, and worked with the Wai’anae Kai Watershed Partnership (WKWP) to plant endemic plants and to weed out invasive species.
Finally, on Wednesday and Thursday, the entire 8th grade class and 3 teachers traveled to the very top of Ahupua’a ‘o Honouliuli to Camp Palehua (formerly Camp Timberline). Around the campfire, the grade 8 students got to relax, participate in some bonding activities and compare stories about their experiences over the last few days. “Camp was also a great time for the kids to reflect on their time in middle school and to share their feelings about entering high school next year,” added Bradley.
“I know how disappointed the kids were about not going to the Big Island,” shared Secondary Principal Micah Banton. “Of course, their health and safety was the ultimate determining factor in cancelling that trip, but I think we were able to put together a great program for the kids and it was a memorable experience for all of them.”
Mika Okano (’20)and Mina Cintron (’20) dig out invasive plant species in Wai’anae.
Students build a structure out of the natural items that they could find as a fun way to practice their problem-solving and collaboration skills.
Grade 8 students clean up after an activity.