Students in Ke Kilohana: Glass Revolution are transforming locally sourced recycled glass into a resource for learning, artistic creation and more sustainable practices in Punahou’s Glass Lab.
Students in the course collected and processed 1,800 pounds of glass donated exclusively by the Punahou community. The recycled material is now being used in the main furnace, allowing classes across the program to create with recycled glass.
The shift replaces the need to ship raw silica materials from the mainland by utilizing recycled glass sourced locally on Oʻahu. In addition to reducing waste, the course helps lower the environmental impact associated with transporting materials.
Students will use the recycled material to create original glass artworks, exploring sustainable design and craftsmanship while seeing how discarded materials can be given new purpose. The course is nearing its goal of diverting one ton of glass from Hawaiʻi’s waste stream this year while giving students a firsthand opportunity to contribute to meaningful environmental change.
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Ke Kilohana: This Social Studies course enables students to apply their skills and knowledge in service to a community of practice. In their senior year, students select from various Ke Kilohana courses that emphasize applied learning across disciplines. They engage in collective service opportunities and identify a community need to create an individual service project, culminating in a public product, presentation, or performance. This is a semester-long course worth half a credit and satisfies the Social Studies graduation requirement.
Photos by Kathleen Connelly