Carina Pupillo ‘29, a Grade 8 student at Island Pacific Academy, has taken her passion for STEM and Hawaiian culture to a new level by participating in the prestigious Honua Scholars Proposal Competition. Honua Scholars empowers students to pursue STEM careers and advanced degrees, cultivating Hawaiʻi’s future STEM leaders who will integrate Hawaiʻi’s culture into scientific pursuits. Her project, Revitalizing Loko Iʻa to Restore Our Community, garnered recognition at the Laulima Symposium, showcasing her innovative vision for addressing homelessness and food security while honoring Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage.
Pupillo’s journey began in science class, where her teacher, Johana Copas, introduced the competition and encouraged students to submit proposals. “The second I heard about this opportunity, I wanted to take it,” Pupillo shared. “I thought that it may be good for experience, research skills, and to just overall learn more about a topic I am passionate about.”
Pupillo’s project stemmed from her deep connection to the Hawaiian culture she has learned about throughout her years at IPA. Inspired by lessons on ancient Hawaiian fishponds, known as loko iʻa, she developed a proposal to revitalize these ingenious aquaculture systems. “Once I learned about these, I have been intrigued yet wondered why I haven’t seen or heard about them too often,” she said.
After discovering that many loko iʻa are no longer in use, she combined her interest in Hawaiian history with a desire to address community challenges. “My project was to bring loko iʻa around the island back to life, and then using the fish produced from the ponds to feed the locals struggling with homelessness and/or food security.”
Her project highlights the value of hands-on, project-based learning at IPA. Her understanding of Hawaiian culture, first cultivated in Elementary, played a pivotal role in shaping her proposal years later. “In 4th grade, I remember learning so much about Hawaii’s land and the unique, yet clever Hawaiian creations/inventions,” she said. “One that has definitely stood out to me since then are the ancient Hawaiian fishponds.”
This early exposure through project-based learning not only sparked her interest but also laid the foundation for her Grade 8 project, proving that IPA’s Journey of A Navigator is truly a K-12 continuum. By revisiting and applying what she learned years ago, Pupillo demonstrated how meaningful, engaged learning leads to greater retention and deeper insights.
Her motivation for her project went beyond sustainability, as she envisioned a broader community impact. “I hope it will positively impact our local community through bringing back a large part of ancient Hawaiian culture, sustaining a local stable food source, feeding our community, and most importantly uniting our people to help solve modern issues today together,” she said.
At the Laulima Symposium, Pupillo presented her project to a diverse audience of educators, scientists, and community leaders. “Presenting in front of that room of educators, experts, as well as scientists from many different schools and areas of the island was definitely nerve-wracking,” she shared. “But it helped me to get a good grasp of presenting in front of a diverse audience and learn more about the modern complexities within our islands as well as the rest of the world.”
Pupillo credited IPA’s emphasis on innovation and real-world learning for preparing her for the competition. “IPA offers so many unique and valuable real-world opportunities to join and be a part of,” she said. “These opportunities help transform ideas and thoughts into passions and realities. Sometimes they even bring out newfound perspectives, discoveries, and interests.”
She reflected on experiences such as her participation in the Tori Richard collaboration for designing IPA’s Ke Ala uniforms, May Day Court, class and grade student councils, and bonding activities like learning trips. “All these experiences and many more shape all of us as students throughout the years.”
Reflecting on her journey with Honua Scholars, Pupillo emphasized the importance of STEM. “STEM is in everything, and it is the ultimate solution to modern issues in today’s society,” she explained. “It’s up to us as growing, learning scientists to bring the solutions of today’s challenges out of the world around us by utilizing STEM understanding. We must strive to learn, ideate, identify, and initiate in order to transform what’s going on throughout our communities both locally and globally.”
Pupillo expressed gratitude for the support she received from the IPA community, saying, “I had so many willing teachers, admin, and peers guiding me and giving me feedback constantly. They really showcased the ‘Whenever you can, help!’ mindset to me.”
She also shared her appreciation for the Honua Scholars Organization. “They do amazing work that helps to push aspiring science students towards their goals and dreams.”
As Pupillo continues her educational journey, her project stands as a testament to her dedication and IPA’s commitment to fostering innovative, hands-on, community-focused learning.
