LIHU‘E — Parents and students can celebrate the first day of the state Department of Education fall break by getting one of the free grab-and-go ocean learning kits to be distributed Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery at Kukui Grove Center and from 9 a.m. at the Princeville and Hanapepe public libraries.
“We wanted to partner with the state library system for greater access to more families,” said Jean Souza, the program specialist for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. “The Princeville and Hanapepe libraries have Saturday openings, and the kits will be available at both libraries from 9 a.m., while supplies last.”
The kits, themed “Malama O Ke Kai,” are to be distributed as part of a statewide effort where 1,000 kits will be available at HIHWNMS-sponsored locations on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i sland. Distribution on Lana‘i and Moloka‘i will be directly to all public fourth-grade classrooms.
“Malama O Ke Kai” translates to “take care of the ocean.” “Some of the topics include kilo, or traditional Hawaiian observation systems, pono fishing practices, taking care of limu, or seaweed, and understanding and behaving properly in the presence of sea turtles — honu, or green sea turtle, and honu ‘ea, or hawksbill turtle,” said Souza.
The kits are a collaboration between the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, the Hawai‘i State Public Library System, the National Marine Fisheries Service and HIHWNMS.
“This learning kit is intended to appeal to a broad age range, and includes hard copies and helpful online resources including National Marine Sanctuaries educational materials, DAR educational materials and NOAA Fisheries outreach and educational materials,” Souza said. “We encourage older students and adults to work with younger ones. We hope these resources serve as a catalyst for further learning and interesting conversations.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
