KILAUEA — Scientists aren’t the only ones concerned about the future of Kaua‘i’s diseased coral reefs. Students in Scott Schwemmer’s fifth-grade class at Kilauea School recently created a mural in an effort to raise public awareness about the issue. Representing
KILAUEA — Scientists aren’t the only ones concerned about the future of Kaua‘i’s diseased coral reefs.
Students in Scott Schwemmer’s fifth-grade class at Kilauea School recently created a mural in an effort to raise public awareness about the issue.
Representing their class, students Liliana Perry and Mason Gibson — accompanied by their parents and volunteer art teacher Marilyn Pollock — traveled to Honolulu Jan. 22 to unveil the painting in Senate Vice President Ron Kouchi’s office. They were greeted by Kaua‘i Reps. Derek Kawakami and James Tokioka.
“The mural itself depicts the life of the ocean and how every organism is important to our keiki, to our way of life,” Kawakami said. “It was very beautifully done.”
Since September, Dr. Greta Aeby of the University of Hawai‘i and Dr. Thierry Work of the U.S. Geological Survey have been studying a cyanobacterial/fungal disease that is killing coral along Kaua‘i’s North Shore, specifically at ‘Anini, Makua and Hanalei.
Over winter break, Schwemmer’s students were given the optional assignment of researching the coral disease and writing an essay. Out of 28 students in the class, three chose to tackle the assignment: Mason Gibson, Liliana Perry and Amber Bein.
As a reward for their hard work, Gibson and Perry got to travel to Honolulu to personally present the mural to the legislature. Unfortunately, Bein was unable to join her classmates.
“It was great to see the kids come in and not just have a mural,” Kawakami said, “but they had meaning behind the mural: The importance of preserving our natural resources for future generations.”
The trip was made possible by an anonymous donation, which covered the cost of airfare and accommodations for Pollock, the two students and their families.
“When we were alerted about the (coral disease), I came to Scott (Schwemmer) and said, ‘Let’s have the kids think about what would happen if they lost the reefs,” Pollock said. “I let them all draw something that has meaning to them.”
The mural features a wide variety of ocean creatures, including coral colonies, turtles, puffer fish, crabs, dolphins, whales, sea horses and even an octopus, each one drawn by a different student.
“These are 10-year-olds that are really conscious about what’s going on,” Pollock said. “(They) were really forthcoming and really excited about the project.”
When asked how she felt about the disease, fifth-grader Perry said “horrible.”
“I think they should try to find out why it’s happening,” she said. “And I think they should warn everyone about what’s happening.”
Bein added that the disease “should definitely be stopped.”
“I’m worried that it’s going to spread around,” she said.
In her essay, Bein wrote that ‘Anini is a well-known snorkeling spot because of the beautiful ocean, turtles, fish and coral. Her fear is that the disease may change that.
“Dr. Thierry Work is a scientist,” she wrote. “Dr. Thierry is going to figure out the cause of the disease. It is up to the community and decision-makers to decide what to do.”
In his essay, Gibson wrote that ‘Anini is one of his favorite places to swim, and that news of the disease in that area made him feel “sad.”
“My class did a mural to bring people together and make them aware of what is going on with our coral reefs on Kaua‘i,” he wrote. “The coral reefs are important because it stops the large waves from coming on the beach. Therefore, it can provide a good place to swim for everyone. In addition, coral reefs provide a home for many native fish and other sea creatures.”
Gibson hopes scientists are able to find the source in order to “save the coral reefs and fish from extinction.”
“This information is important because it can help other islands in Hawai‘i to stop this from happening on their island,” he wrote. “I love swimming at ‘Anini Beach and I hope the coral reef and fish will still be around when I get older.”
Originally, the school had plans to display the mural in the State Capitol Building in Honolulu. But after further consideration, Pollock and other teachers decided the Kilauea School cafeteria should be its permanent home. First, it will be on display at the Princeville Public Library.
Pollock said the goal of the mural is keeping awareness alive.
“These kids really care,” she said. “That’s why they went to the legislature … to tell the powers that be that ‘Yes, we care about this.’ The ocean means everything to them.”
While in Honolulu, Pollock was presented with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the legislature by Reps. Kawakami and Tokioka for her three decades of community service.
For more than 30 years, Pollock has volunteered her time teaching art in Hanalei and Kilauea schools, helping inmates at the Kaua‘i Community Correctional Center earn degrees, as well as holding art workshops at her home.
“To me she represents that aloha spirit,” Kawakami said. “You have an individual who’s taking her passion and time and passing it on to future leaders.”
