Moʻomeheu (Culture)

Haumāna discover Moanalua Valley from the lens of the original caregivers of the ‘āina in relation to contemporary land management and monitoring practices. By the end of the program, all students will have gained knowledge on cultural significance of the site, flora and fauna of the site, as well as environmental monitoring. 

To demonstrate this knowledge, the students will develop an interpretive project to display their knowledge of the site. This interpretive project can be personal or non-personal. Upon completion of the project will students receive their certificate. This program includes bus transportation to and from the school campus and Moanalua valley (two times per cohort).

We serve between 800 - 1300 students per school year and we are looking to expand not just the number of students we serve, but the ʻāina, wahi pana and moku we implement this program with! Haumāna are not only exited about getting their feet on ʻāina, they consistently report over a 90% increase in knowledge gained and skills earned. The Program curriculum includes these core lessons:

Lesson 1: Ahupua`a o Moanalua

Lesson 2: Plants of Kamananui

Lesson 3: Land Monitoring

Lesson 4: Water Monitoring

Lesson 5: Green Industry 

Lesson 6: Community Leadership

Hawaiian Canoe paddling is the official State sport.  Over 10,000 canoe paddlers on the island of Oahu practice and compete in Keʻehi lagoon each year.  Many swim in the water as boat holders for regatta events.   Every other year for the Hawaii State Canoe Racing Championships, over 5,300 participants come in contact with these waters.  For over 15 years Keʻehi Lagoon and Moanalua Stream have been listed as impaired due to excess nutrients and high turbidity rates which exceed Hawaiʻi State water quality standards which were implemented for the propagation of Aquatic Life, recreation and aesthetic enjoyment.  Since these bodies of water are impaired, the DOH is obligated to reduce the volumes of pollutants entering from Moanalua and Kalihi Streams.Since the State is limited on its enforcement powers, one of the best solutions to reducing pollutant loads is through community outreach and education.  

The MGF Hawaiʻi ʻĀina Momona – Ka Wai Ola Program is an ʻāina-based, STEM, Work-based Learning program for students grade 7-12 across the State.  The primary goal of the program is to engage ʻōpio in addressing the high pollutant loads that impact the health of the Keʻehi watershed.  ʻŌpio will build skills through a set STEM curriculum and practice those skills through practical experience in the field.  They will study the impact of humans on the natural systems within the watershed from kai i uka, learn to identify the sources of pollutants, propose solutions, and become critical partners in community outreach and education as a first step toward improving the water quality of the Keʻehi watershed.

Skill Building 1: I Uka - Upland Learnings & Huakaʻi

Skill Building 2: I Kai - Ocean Learnings & Huakaʻi

Skill Building 3: I Waena - Kaiaula Learnings & Huakaʻi

Skill Building 4: Design Thinking Course

Skill Building 5: Project Management Course

Skill Building 6: Project Proposal Design

Skill Building 7: Proposal Pitch Preparation

For nearly 50 years, the Prince Lot Hula Festival has shared Hawaiian culture, hula, mele and ʻoli. In 2025 MGF takes it a step further, stringing together a lei of workshops and experiences that bring kamaʻāina and malihini together to learn about our Aliʻi, the culture they built, and the ʻāina they entrusted to our care. It reminds us all of the kuleana we share and must continue to work together to uphold so that Hawaiian stories, our culture and our people continue to thrive here at home! This program contributes to the Kanaka economy by hiring Kanaka Kumu Hula, musicians, and lecturers. We contribute to the tourism economy by booking venues in the tourism industry, marketing those venues along with the program, and purchasing food and/or snacks through those venues.

March 2025             Workshop I

May 2025                 Workshop II

June 2025               Workshop III

July 2025                 Workshop IV

July 2025                 Prince Lot Hula Festival

September 2025   Workshop V

October 2025         Workshop VI

Kaleo O Nā ‘Ōpio (KONO) ‘Ōpio Leadership Academy (OLA) is a work-based learning program focused on ‘ōpio ages 13 – 24. Lead by a project manager and assisted by a social media and policy consultant, KONO ‘OLA’s aim is to provide training, mentorship and experience in policy, advocacy and community engagement rooted in the foundation of Moanalua valley itself with ‘Āina as the foundation of our culture, health and self-governance. 

The KONO ‘OLA curriculum is a combination of synchronous, online training & engagement sessions and on the ground-community fieldwork that provides ‘ōpio an opportunity to learn and practice 21st Century skills to hone their identity, increase job opportunities by increasing in-demand skills and broadening ‘ōpio networks across the pae’āina and beyond, while uplifting ‘ōpio led community partnerships. Academy participants will receive training and interact with peers, SMEs and the community through a mix of digital and in-person platforms. ‘Ōpio will tell their stories, throughout their experience, through digital media on discussion panels, social media posts. Academy participants will earn a stipend of $1,000 for the completion of the academy and the production of a completed and approved proposal. The process will culminate in a Pitch Party, where ‘ōpio will present their community-driven proposals, with the potential for those proposals to be funded by a carefully selected panel of community funders. 

Schedule:

December 2024     Marketing & Recruitment 

January 2025         Online Kick-off

February 2025       Design course

March 2025             Policy & Advocacy Course

April 2025                ‘Āina & Maoli Ola Course

May 2025                  Project Management Course

July 2025                  Proposal Pitch Party