ReefTeach Volunteer Training
(Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i Island)

West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Building D, 2nd Floor, Real Property Tax Office 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI, United States

June 29, 2016—Now is your chance to help save our ocean! The Kohala Center’s ReefTeach Program aims to educate visitors and residents alike on how to avoid damaging corals and take care of honu (green sea turtles) and reef animals. ReefTeach is a volunteer-powered program of well-trained and dedicated ocean stewards who talk with visitors about what corals are, the different types of fish and invertebrates in the bay, and reef ecology. We also inform visitors and residents of honu basking behavior and help reduce disturbances to honu in the bay and throughout the Hawaiian Islands. We are seeking new volunteers to join our ReefTeach efforts at Kahalu‘u Bay in Kahalu‘u-Keauhou and at Waialea Bay (Beach 69) in Puakō.

If you are interested in joining our next ReefTeach Volunteer Training, please email Laura Grote at lauraagrote@gmail.com.

Free

Waiwai Weekend #2: Supporting Food Security in Hawai‘i
(Kohala Mountain, Hawai‘i Island)

The Kohala Center at Keawewai

August 20, 2016—Our second Waiwai Weekend will focus on one of our favorite subjects—food! We invite you to join us and our special guests Nancy Redfeather, Jerry Konanui, and Dr. Albie Miles for a conversation about how we can all contribute to greater food security and support local food production in Hawai‘i.

$75

Ke Kumu ‘Āina: A weeklong exploration of Hawai‘i Island’s native plants for middle school students
(Waimea, Hawai‘i Island)

The Kohala Center 65-1291A Kawaihae Rd, Kamuela, HI, United States

October 10–14, 2016—The Kohala Center’s Ke Kumu ‘Āina program takes place during the fall intersession and offers middle school students opportunities to learn about Hawai‘i Island’s native plants. Participants will engage in scientific field research in the Kohala Watershed, learn to identify native plants, and understand the environments in which they grow. Students will meet each day in Waimea and enjoy hands-on workshops and field trips to Kohala Mountain and beyond.

Free

Ke Kumu ‘Āina Afterschool Program
(Waimea, Hawai‘i Island)

Ulu Lā‘au – Waimea Nature Park 66-1246 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI, United States

January 11–May 24, 2017—The Kohala Center’s free Ke Kumu ‘Āina Afterschool Program takes place every Wednesday from 1:30 to 5 p.m. throughout the second semester and offers elementary and middle school students opportunities to learn about Hawai‘i Island’s native plants. Participants will learn to identify native plants and their cultural uses, understand the environments in which they grow, and engage in scientific field research. Students will meet at Ulu Lā‘au – Waimea Nature Park and enjoy hands-on workshops, ‘āina-based activities, and healthy snacks at the heart of Waimea town. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the second semester.

Free

2017 Nāhelehele Dryland Forest Symposium
(Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i Island)

Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel 75-5660 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI, United States

February 24, 2017—The 2016 Nāhelehele Dryland Forest Symposium will highlight dryland forest ecology and restoration efforts in Hawai‘i. The symposium will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, February 24, at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona.

$40 – $90

‘Āina After School
(Kapa‘au, Hawai‘i Island)

Kohala Middle School Garden 53-4155 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaau, HI, United States

April 14–May 26, 2017—The Kohala Center’s free ‘Āina After School program takes place at Kohala Middle School Garden every Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. throughout the fourth quarter and offers middle school students opportunities to learn about gardening. Participants will learn to identify common garden plants and their uses, understand the environments in which they grow, and engage in scientific field research. Students will enjoy hands-on workshops, ‘āina-based activities, and healthy snacks. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the fourth quarter.

Free

Hawai‘i Island Air Quality Network – Information Sessions
(Kealakehe, Hilo, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island)

January 22–24, 2018—Are you looking for ways to teach NGSS practices in your math and science classes, or just want to learn more about Hawai‘i’s air quality? Researchers and scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are partnering with The Kohala Center to create an air-sensor network on Hawai‘i Island. The network will be comprised of 30 to 40 sensor nodes to measure vog and weather. Data will be publicly accessible.

Free

Measuring Volcanic Air Pollution with a Low-cost Sensor Network
(Waimea, Hawai‘i Island)

W. M. Keck Observatory Jerry Nelson Conference Room 65-1120 Māmalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI, United States

January 24, 2018—Bring your lunch and join us for a presentation by MIT Researchers Ben Crawford and Jesse Kroll in partnership with The Kohala Center. Poor air quality is the single largest environmental risk factor for premature death globally, but the lack of widespread observations has traditionally limited our understanding of air pollutant sources and impacts.

Free