PacificQuest

Punalu'u is an area steeped in cultural significance, just minutes from Pacific Quest; some people even claim it may be the real site of the first Polynesian arrival to the island (most often thought to be Ka Lae, South Point). This area is the perfect backdrop in which to explore cultural and environmental issues, while having some fun in the blacksand, rolling surf and Hawaiian sun. On the short drive to Punalu'u we spoke about the recent history of the ahupua'a in which we live: sugar cane, macadamia nuts, unfinished resorts and tourism. When we arrived we found turtles already basking on the dark, warm sand. Students asked about the one house just adjacent to the beach, that seems to be within the beach park. This provided the perfect opportunity to explain that Punalu'u had for many years been a much larger community, this house was the last of many that had been here, and that "the beach" we were presently walking on was actually the old county road (complete with powerlines and telephone poles if you look up) that had been closed to extend the life of the beach and its tourism potential. Sand blown and pushed up the coastline due to natural processes of erosion, now covers the road that had originally provided access to the coastal community. Without the decision to close the road and let nature take its course this area would look quite different than today.

At the far end of the beach there is a great place to swim, under tall palms and next to an estuary dotted with lily pads and graced with ducks and geese. Diving into the water we got a little surprise. A large sea turtle whom we had not noticed due to the dark rocks and rolling waves, was swimming in our presence. While startling for some students to see a turtle swimming amidst our group, once it turned to swim out to see we were able to really appreciate the special moment. After our swim we taught each other about the Honu, the Pacific Green Sea Turtle. The group divided into three groups. One grou

Rainy day! It was coming down pretty heavily when the group departed. By the time the group arrived at the national park the rain let up a bit. As the group approached the park they talked about general geology of the area, highlighting the formation of the landscape and the fault line underneath. When the group arrived in the park, they went to the visitor's center for a bathroom break and a look at the relief map. Guides noted many interesting facts about the volcanoes and their respective formations. They talked about the difference between, extinct, dormant, and active volcanoes, identifying each aspect in local volcanoes. The group talked about the Kilauea volcano and the current eruption! Guides pointed out what is expected from a geological standpoint in the next 10,000 years. (Talk about looking at our lives from a different perspective). The group then drove around to Kilauea Iki trailhead and ate long gong fruits. The group contrasted the forest in Puna and the forest in Volcano, noting how species were/are introduced to native forest (the group then made sure to collect all our fruit seeds and pack them out). The group hiked into the crater of Kilauea Iki. They identified and discussed the uses and significance of the Hapu'u fern tree, ginger and Ohia Lehua. When the group arrived at the crater floor they did a silly sun-dance, found different types and colors of lava and ohela berries. They explored the crater, discussed its creation, the "bathtub ring" and the still active steam vents - first hand. The group at lunch at the bottom of the crater and asked volcano trivia. They reviewed indigenous and endemic plants and then hiked back up through the rainforest to the lava tube. The group explored a lava tube formation and underground Ohia roots. They brought headlamps and explored the unlit part of the tube a bit - a highlight for sure!

For this outing we drove north to keaau. On the journey we talked about Hawaiian native plants in the national park as we drove through, about the volcanic activity at Halema'uma'u and Pu'u O'o, the legend of Ohia and Lehua and a brief history of sugar in Hawaii, and its influence on the town of Keaau. We took a bathroom break in Keaau at Shipman's park before heading to the trailhead.

On the hike we identified the autograph tree, the hau, banyons, and the group favorite, the strawberry guava. We talked about the old road we were walking on, the kings trail, evidence of old taro beds we saw, and an old world war two bunker that we found near the beach. When we arrived at Haena, we had the privilege to see a giant green sea turtle, beached for an afternoon in the sun; we talked about the predatory threats to the creature (mostly human). We also were able to dispel the myth that the endangered Nene can not fly as two passed overhead. We talked briefly over lunch about how it would feel to be told you had to leave your home, as in the case of when the lands of Keaau were sold to Shipman, or perhaps in the case of lava approaching your village.

After lunch we swam and explored the area where the fresh water springs merge with the ocean. On the hike back the group collected many guavas for the ohana. It was a great hike and a great outing all in all. The group really came together in the last stretch when a student expressed wanting to get back to make an awesome dinner for everyone. All were able to pick up the pace and check almost twenty minutes off our hike time on the way in.

The Honomolino Outing started off with the group loading up the cars and heading to the old village of Milolii. We parked the cars in the village and hiked south along the coast for about a mile or so across dry lava fields. The hike ended at a large bay, coconut grove and a 100 yard long black sand beach. Despite the rainy and overcast weather most other places, the beach was sunny and hot.

Honomolino is conducive to many activities including swimming, snorkeling or play games on the sand. There are tide pools to explore and an ample supply of coconuts to crack open. Weather permitting, there are also a deep water cove with steep sides where the kids can make take small jumps into the water.

On this trip, the visibility in the ocean was low and the waves were a little too big for us to jump off the rocks safely. Regardless we all had a great time.

this is a test slide show