As part of the service component of this trip, students collected seeds from legacy māmane and naio trees that will be used for propagation for future outplantings within the reserve.
This spring, 18 Punahou students embarked on a landmark adventure, discovering the wonders of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on Hawai‘i Island – and marking the first overnight camping experience for the Academy Outdoor Education Program. With this milestone under its belt, the Outdoor Education Program (OE) not only broadened its suite of academic offerings, but also now reaches students across the entire K – 12 population.
The Hakalau Wildlife Refuge was the ideal spot for this unforgettable experience, as it is home to 29 endangered species and boasts some of the most robust local stands of native montane rainforest. Presently, it is the only place in the state where native forest bird populations are thriving or stable.
During their journey, students learned about critically endangered native birds and rare native plants. They also assisted in collecting seeds from old-growth naio and māmane. Throughout the visit, they engaged in meaningful conversations around sound environmental and conservation practices – and how those strategies could be applied on campus and in other parts of Hawai‘i.
“This trip deepened my understanding of how effective conservation can be if you really put effort into it,” says Sophie Michino ’27. “They had managed to replant the entire forest, and bring many of the birds back to the area. I thought that conservation only applied to saving remaining things like small forests and groups of animals that live there, but they really brought back the whole thing from basically nothing. It was inspiring.”
Kumu Andy Nelson and Kumu Shelby Ho ’01, the stewards of Punahou’s Outdoor Education Program, hope to create more illuminating conservation experiences going forward. “Providing opportunities for students to care about and pursue pathways in conservation is the ‘Hōkūpa‘a’ or the North Star,” says Ho.
Creating a cohesive K – 12 OE curriculum has been a strategic goal for Punahou. “It’s never been more important for our students to get outside and feel connected to the world around them,” Nelson says. “Acquiring new skills and knowledge and caring about things like sustainability is important, but we know the power of what being outside can provide to mental and spiritual health as well.”
The OE program already offers several iconic traditions that are firmly planted in the Junior School, including the fourth-grade overnight camp at Pu‘uomānoa (Rocky Hill), the fifth graders’ trip to Hawai‘i Island, and sixth graders’ exploration of the forests above Makakilo at Camp Pa-lehua (Camp Timberline).
Meanwhile, some of the diverse OE experiences being offered in the Academy include a new after-school PE (ASPE) course where students can continue their experiences outdoors while also receiving PE credit, conservation day trips to places like the summit of Mauna Ka‘ala, and weekly Friday after school stewardship opportunities at Pu‘uomānoa through the Rocky Hill Conservation Corps program.
This is the latest chapter of OE’s rich history, which spans more than five decades. The program began in the early 1970s and has continued to evolve, offering age-appropriate experiences that connect students to the environment. “OE is about equipping and empowering students,” Nelson says.
OE is already off to a strong start – the trip to Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge has left an indelible mark on the students. “My personal goal moving forward is to immerse myself in learning about Hawai‘i’s ecosystems and natural world,” says Tati Chen ’27. “I was inspired to be knowledgeable about my own home so that one day I can share it with someone else and be beyond proud of the islands I’m from.”