Curriculum

Aloha ʻĀina

Changing the course of at-risk youth.

Our multidisciplinary journey will take students through readings, reflections in writing, interviews with kūpuna (elders), creative collaborative projects, problem-solving in math and science, and investigations in their ahupua‘a.

We shape the future, while preserving our heritage. ‘Aina is that which nourishes. It encompasses land, ocean, heavens, land-based water systems, plants and animals.
Aloha ‘Aina is a way of life inherent in Hawaiian practices.

Our multidisciplinary journey will take students through readings, reflections in writing, interviews with kūpuna (elders), creative collaborative projects, problem-solving in math and science, and investigations in their ahupua‘a. Teacher guides, instructional notes, student activity logs, worksheets, pre-post test, and five part inspirational video provide culturally relevant materials for teaching about ahupua‘a land-management systems, and inspiring youth to be future stewards and scientists who will care for the land and preserve traditions.

Students will be inspired to
embrace aloha ‘āina as a way of life; learn science, math, social studies, and language arts; and care for resources within students’ ahupua‘a

We’ll visit:

  • Kaua‘i: Waipā

  • O‘ahu: Kāne‘ohe, Kalihi, Wai‘anae, Waikīkī

  • Moloka‘i: islandwide

  • Maui: Kīhei and Waihe‘e, Hāna

  • Hawai‘i: Hilo, Kona

Aloha ‘Aina videos

Introductory Aloha ‘Āina video sets up the curriculum, letting students take a trip with us to discover the gifts that the ʻāina provides in their ahupuaʻa. It’s a journey of discovery that includes moʻolelo, ʻoli, wonderful music, beautiful places and meaningful relationships between people and the place where they live!

Na Oli

Oli carry the history, stories, and spirit of Hawaiʻi through generations. Feel the connection to the land and ancestors.

On each grade level, four to six lessons are designed to be taught sequentially. Teachers are provided background information, rubrics for individual benchmarks, lists of materials, student worksheets including Student readings, Maps, Learning Log/Journal, Activity cards and more.

 

  • Grades K–2 units were developed in collaboration with Chaminade University of Honolulu.

  • Gardening units for grades 7-8 were created in collaboration with Waipā Foundation in Hanalei, Kaua‘i.

  • Project Aloha ‘Āina was produced in cooperation with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education.

  • The teacher guides were developed with grants by the Native Hawaiian Education Program, U.S. Department of Education.

Teachers will notice that the older units were written to meet the benchmarks of the Hawai‘i Content and Performance Standards, (HCPS III), the General Learner Objectives (GLOs), and the cultural guidelines for healthy learning environments of Nā Honua Mauli Ola (NHMO).


MoʻoleloMoʻolelo

Kalihi – Wetlands
Map: Kalihi and Kapālama Ahupuaʻa 

Kalihi – Ahupuaʻa
Map: Kalihi and Kapālama Ahupuaʻa

Waikīkī – Wetlands                                                                                                                                  
Map: Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Map: Mānoa and Pālolo

Waikīkī – Ahupuaʻa
Map: Waikīkī Ahupuaʻa
Map: Mānoa and Pālolo

Kawai Nui Marsh – Wetlands

Kāneʻohe – Wetlands
Map: Kāneʻohe Ahupuaʻa

Kāneʻohe – Ahupuaʻa
Map: Kāneʻohe Ahupuaʻa

Kamaile – Wetlands
Map: Mākua Kaʻānaniʻau

Kamaile – Kaʻānahiau
Map: Mākaha and Waiʻanae Kaʻānaniʻau

ʻImi ʻIke – Systems and
the Ahupuaʻa Hawaii

ʻImi ʻIke – Cycles and Hawaiian Traditions

Kahea Loko

Coral Reef

Kauai-NiihauMap: Hilo Bay, Big Island of Hawaiʻi
Map: ʻAnini Beach, Kauaʻi
Map: Māʻalaea Bay, Maui


MolokaʻiMolokai
Map: Hālawa Ahupuaʻa

KahoʻolaweMaui-Lanai-Kahoolawe
Map: Kahoʻolawe