Wai Huihia Kumu Network
What is the Wai Huihia Kumu Network? It’s a concept we are putting into practice that provides a space for teachers with varying levels of experience in 'āina-based education to: come together to exchange knowledge, ideas, and resources; learn from each other as well as from other organizations; and build new skills to help them feel more confident and supported to implement 'āina-based education. One way we would like to accomplish this is through monthly gatherings after school featuring different schools or sites that implement 'āina-based education. These monthly gatherings will be held every second Tuesday of the month (October 2022-May 2023) from 3:30pm-5:00pm . Another way we would like to support and grow the field of ʻāina-based education is through the ʻĀina-Based Education Certification (ABEC) program. DETAILS COMING SOON! Wai Huihia can be translated literally to “mixing waters” in the Hawaiian language, with the deeper meaning of mixing/uniting resources to support each other. Mahalo to Puanani Wilhelm of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education for the kōkua with this special name! |
Upcoming Wai Huihia Events:
We look forward to working with you next school year! Stay tuned for our next gathering!
Watch Outside Hawaiʻi TV
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Other Kumu/Haumana Opportunities
FREE Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Educational Kits available for RENT!!!
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Aloha Kumu! Here are a few resources to help support your students remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Repository Resources to Kōkua during COVID-19
Mālama Learning Center's Aloha ʻĀina Packets
In response to the COVID-19 health crisis and the closure of schools, Mālama Learning Center and our partners sought to provide keiki with fun activities that can connect them to ʻāina from home while “sheltering-in-place.” We developed a simple Aloha ‘Āina Packet, through which we encourage keiki to go outside and to open their senses to the environment around them in a safe and healthy way. All activities in the packet can be done with the 'ohana! The Aloha ʻĀina Packet is brought to you by the Waiʻanae Wellness and Place-Based Learning Alliance.
To download the weekly packets, go to https://www.malamalearningcenter.org/aloha-699256ina-packets.html
Virtual Huakaʻi Videos
- Three Mountain Alliance 'Imi Pono no ka 'Āina - Distant Learning Resources for Teachers
- COVID-19 Curriculum - 8 Lessons for PREK-12 and Community
- Ola Nā Kini: Planting to Heal & Restore the 'Āina w/Mālama Learning Center Video
- Nānākuli Zablan's Virtual Huaka'i (created by Kapolei High School students for Mālama Learning Center)
- Virtual Huakaʻi - Kahaluʻu Ma Kai and Makalawena This series of innovative virtual huakaʻi (field trips) grounded in Hawaiian Culture Based Education integrates STEM and ʻāina-based learning. https://sites.google.com/view/vft
- Ka Nohona Ahupuaʻa - Life in the Ahupuaʻa Interactive Ahupuaʻa experience http://ksdl2.ksbe.edu/ahupuaa/story_html5.html
- Huakaʻi to Mauna ʻAla The Royal Mausoleum - Virtual Huakaʻi to Mauna ʻAla http://ksdl2.ksbe.edu/maunaala2/maunaala_en/maunaala_main.html
- Lyon Arboretum Teacher and Student Resources; virtually explore the plant at Lyon! https://manoa.hawaii.edu/lyon/education/pk-12-education/teacher-and-student-resources/
- The Nature Conservancy’s Nature Lab - The Nature Lab was created to help students learn the science behind how nature works for us and how we can help keep it running strong. Curriculum and virtual field trips available! https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement/nature-lab/
- Waters to the Sea: Kauaʻi Adventure - Includes dozens of activities, map-based exploration, and short videos related to sustainability, science, engineering, and social studies. https://waterstothesea.org/Kauai
- STEM@Home (PITSCO Education) - “Hands-on, minds-on learning can happen anywhere and everywhere.” Resources for STEMspriation for homeschooling and enrichment. The activities are simple and come with links to worksheets and instructions to make simple objects for exploration at home. They range in categories of grades K-5 and 6-9. PITSCO Education – STEM@Home
- NSTA Daily Do - Daily weekday science topics such as “How do we know something is alive?”, “How do we find patterns in weather?”, and “Why do we all have to stay home?” are presented. Teachers and families across the country are facing a new reality of providing opportunities for students to do science through distance and home learning. The Daily Do is one of the ways NSTA is supporting teachers and families with this endeavor. NSTA Daily Do
- Lei Ānuenue - Huddle up everyone in the hale to enjoy some time to hang out with the lāhui...virtually. Join Lei Ānuenue as it connects us across the pae ʻāina and beyond. It’s a time for all of us—kamaliʻi, ʻōpio, mākua, and kūpunato enjoy learning together. http://kanaeokana.net/lei
- Pacific American Foundation's Teleteach - Online resources to for students, teachers & ʻohana (includes virtual tours, resources from community partners and more): https://www.thepaf.org/teleteach/
- The Pacific American Foundation Video Channel on Vimeo - A collection of videos to help teach about ʻāina and place based learning: https://vimeo.com/channels/pafchannel
- School Garden Support Organization Network - Garden resources and virtual gatherings: www.sgsonetwork.org/covid/
- Free Mentoring and Tutoring for Hawaiʻi's Families: tutoring-site.herokuapp.com
- NOAA Live! Islands Interactive Webinar Series - Interactive webinars feating NOAA experts from the Pacific Islands region: NOAA Live!
- Kamehameha Schools ʻOhana Engagement: OHAna Resources
- The Nature Conservancy Nature Lab Virtual Field Trips- explore the world with virtual field trips! Each virtual field trip contains a video, teacher guide, and student activities. From Climate change, coral reefs, to rainforests and more! https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement/nature-lab/virtual-field-trips/
- Office of Hawaiian Education Video Hub- explore different videos featuring ʻāina sites around Hawaiʻi such as Ulupō heiau, Wikiō Wai, Alakoko Fishpond, Pālehua and more! sites.google.com/k12.hi.us/ohehub/nā-hopena-aʻo-hā/e-mākaʻikaʻi-kākou/hā-huakaʻi-videos/virtual-hā-huakaʻi-archive
- Work-Based Learning Guest Speaker Checklist by Earn & Learn- a helpful resource for teachers utilizing guest speakers during the pandemic. This simple PDF provides tips, a timeline and checklist for utilizing guest speakers in your classroom. work-based-learning-connector-guest-speaker-checklist-el-2020.pdf
- Mālama Hulēʻia Virtual Curriculum- online interactive curriculum on loko iʻa (Hawaiian Fishponds), nā mea kanu (Native Hawaiian Plants), nā manu (Native Hawaiian Birds) and more! view.genial.ly/5f9a1ad205dd410d8142cfb4
Repository Resources to Kōkua during COVID-19
- Kūpa'a Collective -Research, education, community, and curriculum resources related to COVID-19
- Hawai'i Distance Learning Forum - A community of teachers helping each other
- Kanaeokana Waihona - Where kumu share resources and ideas with each other
- Kanaeokana Lāhui Resources - Lots of great links & resources in this document!
- Sustainability and COVID-19 - A comprehensive list of resources that articulate the connections between sustainability and COVID-19
- Aloha ‘Āina in April Earth Day - Spreadsheet with resources from different organizations
- Purdue University E-Learning Resources Google doc - Collection of online resources (organized by sciences) outside of Purdue University
- HIDOE ʻĀīna-Based Opportunities for Educators & Students Google Doc
- Fun Keiki Resources - This list contains games, hands-on activities, videos and more for the keiki. We hope the keiki can enjoy some of these activities at home during this COVID-19 pandemic.
- Wai Huihia April Virtual Gathering Resources and Lessons Google Doc
Mālama Learning Center's Aloha ʻĀina Packets
In response to the COVID-19 health crisis and the closure of schools, Mālama Learning Center and our partners sought to provide keiki with fun activities that can connect them to ʻāina from home while “sheltering-in-place.” We developed a simple Aloha ‘Āina Packet, through which we encourage keiki to go outside and to open their senses to the environment around them in a safe and healthy way. All activities in the packet can be done with the 'ohana! The Aloha ʻĀina Packet is brought to you by the Waiʻanae Wellness and Place-Based Learning Alliance.
To download the weekly packets, go to https://www.malamalearningcenter.org/aloha-699256ina-packets.html
Virtual Huakaʻi Videos
Check out this video for more information about the Wai Huihia Kumu Network:
Highlights from past Wai Huihia Events
(Year 1 & 2 of our program)
Wai Huihia Kumu Kickoff Event
December 10, 2019 Teachers and community partners interested in ʻĀina and Place Based education were brought together to learn more about what the consortium has to offer and gave everyone an opportunity to network with one another. This event was held at the Nāulu Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu and had over 30 attendees that included both teachers from the Leeward area and community organizations. |

Wai Huihia January Gathering - featuring Kapolei High School's Hoʻōla Academy
January 14, 2020
The first afterschool Wai Huihia gathering featured Kapolei High School’s Natural Resources Program (Hoʻōla Academy) which showcased projects in their school māla and collaboration efforts with community partners. Students from the Hoʻōla Academy showcased their projects to the teachers that attended. Teachers also got to particpate in a maʻo (Hawaiian Cotton) planting activity.
January 14, 2020
The first afterschool Wai Huihia gathering featured Kapolei High School’s Natural Resources Program (Hoʻōla Academy) which showcased projects in their school māla and collaboration efforts with community partners. Students from the Hoʻōla Academy showcased their projects to the teachers that attended. Teachers also got to particpate in a maʻo (Hawaiian Cotton) planting activity.
Wai Huihia ʻĀina Education Resources of ʻEwa Professional Development Workshop January 25 & February 8, 2020 On the first day of this workshop, teachers visited Mālama Puʻuloa’s site and learned about the resources that teachers could use to teach about the kai (water) of ʻEwa. Guest speaker Sandy Ward introduced teachers to Mālama Puʻuloa, a site they could potentially take their students to in the future. Another guest speaker Wally Ito, from Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; taught teachers about the native limu that was once abundant in the ʻEwa moku. Teachers were also introduced to the ʻEwa ʻĀina Inventory and were given limu lessons that they could use in their classroom. On the second day, teachers were introduced to the mauka resources of ʻEwa. Teachers were able to explore the different sites up at Pālehua including Camp Pālehua, the Pā cultural site, and MLC’s Mauka Nursery. Dr. Manulani Meyer from the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu was a guest speaker, showing teachers different teaching methods that allow people to open up to one another. |

Wai Huihia February Gathering - featuring Keoneʻula's Elementary School's Sustainable Living Club
February 11, 2020
The second Wai Huihia afterschool gathering took place at Keoneʻula Elementary School in ‘Ewa Beach. Fourth grade students from Keoneʻula’s Sustainable Living Club gave the teachers a tour of their school’s garden, aquaponics, and composting system- the students led the entire tour on their own! At the end of the gathering, guest speaker Summer Maunakea from Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation introduced teachers to a fun plant activity teachers could do with their students and gave teachers an overview of resources they could access to help them implement more ʻāina and place based activities.
February 11, 2020
The second Wai Huihia afterschool gathering took place at Keoneʻula Elementary School in ‘Ewa Beach. Fourth grade students from Keoneʻula’s Sustainable Living Club gave the teachers a tour of their school’s garden, aquaponics, and composting system- the students led the entire tour on their own! At the end of the gathering, guest speaker Summer Maunakea from Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation introduced teachers to a fun plant activity teachers could do with their students and gave teachers an overview of resources they could access to help them implement more ʻāina and place based activities.
Wai Huihia ʻĀina Education Resources of Waiʻanae Professional Development Workshop
February 22, 2020 The ʻĀina Education Resources of Waiʻanae PD featured the educational resources of the Cultural Learning Center at Ka‘ala (Ka‘ala Farms). Teachers that attended this field trip were able to learn and participate in restoration activities in the lo‘i kalo at the Cultural Learning Center at Kaʻala. Teachers also learned about native dryland mesic forest plants in the Ka‘ala Kīpuka. To close out this day, guest Speaker Tammy Jones from PALS/PLACES presented P4C techniques and ways to encourage citizen action/student advocacy through her “Try Think” activity in the hale located on site. |

Wai Huihia March Gathering - featuring Waipahu High School's Academy of Natural Resources (ANR)
March 10, 2020
Students from the ANR gave the teachers at this gathering an overview of some their successful projects such as the fresh produce grown in their school’s grow beds/aquaponics, the fish that is grown and sold from their aquaponics, and the outdoor classroom that they utilize to make hands-on learning easier to implement. At the end of the gathering, administrators from Waipahu High School participated in the discussion on teacher empowerment and how to gain support to do ʻāina and place based education within other schools and communities.
March 10, 2020
Students from the ANR gave the teachers at this gathering an overview of some their successful projects such as the fresh produce grown in their school’s grow beds/aquaponics, the fish that is grown and sold from their aquaponics, and the outdoor classroom that they utilize to make hands-on learning easier to implement. At the end of the gathering, administrators from Waipahu High School participated in the discussion on teacher empowerment and how to gain support to do ʻāina and place based education within other schools and communities.
Wai Huihia April "Virtual" Gathering - featuring Nānakuli High & Intermediate School's ʻAʻaliʻi Program
April 14, 2020 Although the COVID outbreak has forced us all to stay at home, the Wai Huihia Kumu Network continues to stay positive and support one another during these crazy times. Like the haumana in the NHIS's ʻAʻaliʻi Program, the kumu in this network are resilient! After learning about the wonderful ʻAʻaliʻi Program, kumu shared about their current struggles and shared any resources they found helpful for implementing distanced learning from home. |

Wai Huihia May "Virtual" Gathering - featuring Kuʻulei Samson from Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha
May 12, 2020
The Wai Huihia Kumu Network virtually met one last time for the school year. Kuʻulei Samson from Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha talked about engaging ʻohana and community during these changing times. For the second half of the gathering, teachers discussed the challenges they are currently facing and proposed ideas to help grow our network in the future.
May 12, 2020
The Wai Huihia Kumu Network virtually met one last time for the school year. Kuʻulei Samson from Hoa ʻĀina O Mākaha talked about engaging ʻohana and community during these changing times. For the second half of the gathering, teachers discussed the challenges they are currently facing and proposed ideas to help grow our network in the future.
Wai Huihia Kumu Network's Year 2 Launch
December 8, 2020 Educators and partners from all over virtually gathered via Zoom to celebrate the launch of Year 2 of the Wai Huihia Kumu Network! At this gathering, the Mālama Learning Center introduced the network to everyone and went over the proposed activities for Year 2 of this program. Everyone was also able to hear from the all-inspiring Aunty Manulani Meyer from the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu as she facilitated a conversation around ʻike makahiki and sharing in excellence together. Although virtual, everyone was still able to participate in a couple interactive activities and got to get to know a little bit about each other. We hope we can continue to help build pilina (relationships) between all of our kumu and partners throughout this next year of the Wai Huihia Kumu Network. |
Wai Huihia Kumu Network January 2021 Gathering January 12, 2021 The Wai Huihia kumu discussed how educators can integrate ʻĀina-Based Education in a virtual setting and beyond. One of our beloved kumu; Jeremy Soriano from Kapolei High School, was able to share how he is able to utilize online platforms and virtual huakaʻi to provide students with a deeper understanding of place. He is able to partner with real scientists in the community and have his students collaborate with one another so they are still able to run real experiments even during COVID! He also helps his students design their own experiments and will run the experiment for them so they can still collect data. Such an inspiring kumu Jeremy Soriano, mahalo nui for sharing with all of us! |
Wai Huihia Kumu Network February 2021 Gathering February 9, 2021 February's gathering featured Shannon Bucasas from Waiʻanae High School. Shannon says, “The community is the heart of the school”, as she shared how she is able to collaborate with community partners to enhance student learning. Shannon highlighted the importance of building relationships with community organizations and shared some helpful tips on how to plan huaka’i for your students. We had some great discussions and most of all, we were all reminded of the numerous community organizations that are out there to support our kumu and our keiki. |
Wai Huihia Kumu Network March 2021 Gathering
March 9, 2021 The March gathering featured two guest speakers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a.k.a. NOAA! Leon Geschwind; the Education and Outreach Specialist for the NOAA Inouye Regional Center, shared some of the resources and programs that NOAA has available for educators in Hawaii. Leon shared about resources such as the "Science on a Sphere" data app, webinars, virtual tours, and student opportunities such as Science Fair and internship experiences. |
Wai Huihia Kumu Network April 2021 Gathering
April 13, 2021 April's gathering featured two of our Year 1 kumu; Samoana McAngus from Keoneʻule Elementary and Kevin Sledge from Waipahu High School. At this gathering, Samoana shared some of the ways she is able to teach and engage her fourth grade students in ʻāina, by using Google Earth and having her students create virtual huakaʻi (field trips). Kevin was able to share some of his experiences teaching ʻāina on the other end of the spectrum, with High School students in his Natural Resources and Spanish classes! Kevin and a few of his colleagues from Waipahu High School shared how their Natural Resource Academy has shifted their way of teaching during the pandemic and are still able to embed huakaʻi protocols (such as Oli) into their curriculum. Kevin finished by sharing how he creatively incorporates ʻāina into his Spanish Lessons, creating practical lessons where students can learn another language but through the Hawaiian perspective |
Wai Huihia Kumu Network May 2021 Gathering
May 11, 2021 The final Wai Huihia Year 2 gathering was held in May 2021 and featured a Haumāna Panel, designed to share how ʻĀina-Based education has impacted their learning and perspective on our ʻāina. The Haumāna Panel consisted of four students who have participated in multiple Mālama Learning Center programs over the years present as a panel. Through haumāna voices teachers were able to witness the ʻāina transformations and better understand how they can provide for a passionate and impactful way of learning. |
Mahalo to our supporters!
**Initial partners of the Wai Huihia Kumu Network include the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (Mālama Honua Fund and Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Complex), INPEACE, Kamehameha Schools Waiʻanae Coast and ʻEwa regions, Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation, MA’O Organic Farms, Mālama Learning Center, Mālama Puʻuloa, Mālama Loko Ea, Cultural Learning Center at Kaʻala, NOAA BWET Hawaiʻi program, Pacific American Foundation, PALS & PLACES, Ulu Aʻe Learning Center, and the University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu and Mānoa campuses. More partners are welcome to join!