What to Expect

As students arrive, they will begin to orient themselves with each other, the camp, the ahupua‘a (traditional Hawaiian system of land management) and the island in order to understand a sense of self, the places they came from and the place and peoples they will be engaging with for the next two weeks.

Focus on United World Colleges core values and key Native Hawaiian values and wisdom including:
- Mālama ‘Āina – reciprocal relationship that exists when we care for the land and it for us
- Mālama Honua – similar reciprocity expanded to the totality of the whole earth
- Kapu Aloha – maintaining a sense of Aloha (unconditional love) in all interactions and at the root of all planning
- Lōkahi - living with an intentionality for harmony and unity

Engaging, hands-on, place-based activities and discussions led by:
- Huaka‘i Hawai‘i Program Directors, Facilitators and Instructors
- Hands-on experts at various sites
- Guest presenters and instructors
- Each day’s experiences build on the knowledge gained in previous days

Comfortable lodging
- Camp Paumalu
- Winners' Camp
Great food
- Most of it locally grown
- Some of it grown right on-site
- Some of it we will harvest and prepare
- Periodic opportunities to explore local eating options
Active participation in
sustainability activities
- Composting
- Recycling
- Computation of carbon footprint
- Carbon off-setting
- Invasive Species removal
- Traditional and contemporary agricultural practises

Daily opportunities for reflection through:
- Journaling
- Visual and artistic expression
- Large and small group discussions
- Stargazing

Opportunities to play and relax
- Fun and games
- Ocean activities
- Fun hands-on learning opportunities
- Time to play, relax, get to know new friends every day
Field trips & activities
- Farms, fishponds, & forest land management
- Beaches and streams
- Hiking
- Renewable energy sites
- Tourism industry visits

Paramount safety
- Transportation vehicles are in excellent condition and inspected daily
- Participants will be assessed for swimming abilities in the camp pool before they are allowed to swim in the ocean
- All ocean activities are supervised by Certified Lifeguards
- Safety briefings are part of every activity