Hawaii: Aloha Service Trip, 2020

*Unfortunately, the Andover High School Hawaii: Aloha Service, 2020 trip that was scheduled to take place in June of 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19.

~ Pre-Travel Discovery ~

Description of Trip:

On this trip, me and my fellow travel group will assist local organizations in their mission to safeguard Hawaii’s biodiversity and foster environmental stewardship. After completing service, we will also get a taste of what makes Hawaii an Island paradise. This includes relaxing on the white and black sand beaches, snorkeling, surfing, hiking through lush forests, and observing millions of stars atop Mauna Kea. We will learn and explore the unique, rich history of Kanaka Maoli, Hawaii’s native people, and even get a glimpse into the powerful forces that created the volcanic island in Volcanoes National Park.

Dates of Trip:

June 19th, 2020 to June 25th, 2020

Destination:

Hawaii

Travel Company:

Rustic Pathways

Missions of the Trip:

1. To connect and further my understand Hawaii's unique environment and complex history

2. To help protect and learn about Hawaii's natural resources and wildlife while contributing to ongoing service projects aimed at land restoration, deforestation, and community education

3. To discuss and reflect with my travel group on all we learn and experience

Service Work:

While in Kailua Kona, we will visit local organizations to help preserve Hawaii's natural resources and wildlife, along with contributing to ongoing service projects aimed at land restoration and deforestation. In Hilo, we will also focus on land restoration, as well as community education.

Goals / Expectations:

One of my goals is to be able to connect and learn about Hawaii's complex environment, and what I as a Global Scholar can do to help preserve and save the beautiful paradise. I have never been to the Hawaii, but I expect the overall lifestyle of the island to be a lot different from my home here in Andover, MA. I am excited to get my hands dirty while doing service work and interested to learn many new things about Hawaii's history.

Relevant UN Sustainability Goals:

What I am hoping to get out of the Trip:

Overall, I am really hoping to learn more about Hawaii's diverse environment and the way of life on the island. I am also super eager to get hands on and experience some of the activities that are not available here in Massachusetts including surfing, snorkeling, hiking the lush forests of the island, and observing the famous volcanos.

What is currently happening in Hawaii:

Unfortunately, the majority of environmental issues affecting Hawaii today are related to pressures from increasing human / animal population and urban expansion both directly on the islands as well as overseas. This includes tourism, urbanization, climate change implications, pollution, invasive species, etc. The waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands are affected by increasing waste products like marine debris from land and ocean sources washing onto shore as well as effluents generated and released from the islands themselves. Oceans in particular are being devastated by factors including marine debris, plastic population, and tourism.

Questions about Hawaii:

1. What is being done by locals to help preserve Hawaii's land, oceans, and wildlife?

2. What can we as Global Scholars here in Massachusetts do to help?