During summer break, some keiki are spending time learning about the history and culture of wa‘a (canoes) through immersive educational experiences at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo.
‘Imiloa is finishing the third week of the Halau Lamaku Summer Enrichment Program, which this year has the theme of “The Voyage.”
The first session, “Building the Wa‘a,” taught keiki all about the materials and hand-crafted tools used to build a wa‘a. They became familiar with selecting a log to make a hull as well as the parts of a wa‘a and their purposes.
“This summer is all about learning about wa‘a and everything it took to be one of the traditional Polynesian voyagers,” said Anya Tagawa, camp director for ‘Imiloa keiki programs. “We have a lot of hands-on learning opportunities that we pair with classroom lessons beforehand. They will go to the garden, but first they have to listen to their kumu.”
During the second session last week, students became “Keiki Cultivators” as they participated in every stage of the farming process — planting traditional food plants, tending to their mala (garden) and harvesting.
“This session has been all about the foods that would sustain voyagers and would last a long time during a journey,” Tagawa said. “Through the theme of voyaging, they are learning about Hawaii’s traditional plants, what kind of food they can grow into and how to best plant them.”
Before planting kalo at ‘Imiloa, kumu first taught keiki the history of the plant that was brought by Polynesian voyagers 1,500 years ago, as well as Hawaii’s cultural history with the story of Haloa.
Outside the facility, keiki excitedly grabbed gloves and trowels and worked together to plant dozens of kalo in ‘Imiloa’s new garden beds while speaking to them with aloha.
According to Tagawa, the garden beds were built by volunteers for an Eagle Scout Service Project and are perfect for teaching keiki the basics.
Keiki learned more about “Life on the Wa‘a” this week as they got a glimpse into daily life aboard a voyaging wa‘a. They will explore the camaraderie needed in a small space and learn about each role a crew member had to play.
On Monday, the fourth session, “Beyond the Reef,” will teach keiki about marine life, sea birds and weather on the open ocean. In the final session, “Navigators: We Know the Way,” keiki will gain insight in the art of Polynesian navigation and learn about Hawaiian star families and their stories.
There are still a few spots open for the fifth session for keiki who were enrolled in grades kindergarten through fifth-grade during the 2023-2024 school year. They can be registered up to one week before the first day of the session.
On Monday, June 17, ‘Imiloa also hosted its first session of Halau ‘Okupu, a new enrichment opportunity for toddlers ages 1 to 4 and their parents or caregivers.
Halau ‘Okupu is a place-based and play-based program for young keiki designed to encourage and engage developing essential skills. The experiences have been made to instill stronger connections to the island and community.
“They will be able to develop sensory movement, fine motor skills and gross motor skills through fun activities based on a theme,” Tagawa said. “This is an especially good opportunity for kids who aren’t in preschool to gain socialization skills outside of their home.”
With grant funding from the East Hawaii Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation, Halau ‘Okupu admissions have been subsidized and the program is free for ‘Imiloa members and $10 for nonmembers while the funds last. Admission includes one child and one supervising adult.
“For now, we’re doing a two-hour program on one Monday a month to see if there is a lot of interest, and then maybe expand to more days a month,” Tagawa said.
An additional child or adult can be admitted for $10 each and walk-ins are welcome if space is available.
The next two sessions are sold-out, but there is still space for the Limu Seaweed Exploration, which will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26. Registration for the Mahina session on Monday, Sept. 9, will open on Monday, July 1.
For more information and to register for openings in Halau Lamaku and Halau ‘Okupu, visit imiloahawaii.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.