Voyaging Courses

Mālama is to care for and honua can be translated as the earth, land or foundation. It is also a place on the deck of a voyaging canoe where the wayfinders make their daily observations. Students learn the basics of navigation, seamanship and the values of a Hawaiian voyager while deepening their understanding of Hawai‘i’s past, present and future. The course builds upon the five social science disciplines: historiography, anthropology, geography, political science and economics. In the process of studying these fields, students work to strengthen various academic skills – thesis writing, discussion practices, research strategies, note-taking, outlining, collaboration and oral presentation. There are multiple opportunities to care for and sail on Punahou’s own double-hulled canoe, Kamaola. Ultimately, this course aims to foster a deep appreciation of Hawai‘i and develop students’ responsibility in navigating Hawai‘i’s future. This course teaches basic water and ocean safety techniques. Students will be required to take a swim proficiency test before they are allowed to sail on Kamaola. The test involves 15 minutes of swimming unassisted: 5 minutes treading water, 5 minutes of back or front float and 5 minutes of continuous swimming (not a race, just proof that they are water safe).

Open to grade 9. Gateway course. Yearlong course. One credit. Satisfies Social Studies graduation requirement.

Mālama is to care for and honua can be translated as the earth, land or foundation. It is also a place on the deck of a voyaging canoe where the wayfinders make their daily observations. Students learn the basics of navigation, seamanship and the values of a Hawaiian voyager while deepening their understanding of Hawai‘i’s past, present and future. The course builds upon the five social science disciplines: historiography, anthropology, geography, political science and economics. In the process of studying these fields, students work to strengthen various academic skills – thesis writing, discussion practices, research strategies, note-taking, outlining, collaboration and oral presentation. There are multiple opportunities to care for and sail on Punahou’s own double-hulled canoe, Kamaola. Ultimately, this course aims to foster a deep appreciation of Hawai‘i and develop students’ responsibility in navigating Hawai‘i’s future. This course teaches basic water and ocean safety techniques. Students will be required to take a swim proficiency test before they are allowed to sail on Kamaola. The test involves 15 minutes of swimming unassisted: 5 minutes treading water, 5 minutes of back or front float and 5 minutes of continuous swimming (not a race, just proof that they are water safe).

Open to grade 9. Gateway course. Yearlong course. One credit. Satisfies Social Studies graduation requirement.

This course aims to develop the mindset and skills of the oceanic wayfinder as it pertains to the care and stewardship of island communities. He wa‘a he moku, the canoe is an island: at sea, there is an intimate awareness of the limited resources available. Your canoe becomes your island. The health of the crew and canoe is the health of yourself. The resources of the sea and the canoe are what sustain you. You must constantly be a steward of the food, waste, water and crew to keep the canoe sailing safely in the right direction. He moku he wa‘a, the island is a canoe: even on an island, resources are finite, space is limited and the environment is fragile. People must depend on each other, care for their communities, and steward the natural environment in order to thrive.

Open to grade 12. Prerequisite: A Gateway course. Semester course (Spring semester). One-half credit. Satisfies Social Studies graduation requirement for Senior Capstone.

Hawaiian Voyaging, Nā Kelamoku: Guided by the Hawaiian competency of kuleana, this course engages students in hands-on, project-based activities that focus on developing an understanding of the history and culture of contemporary voyaging, basic seamanship skills and wayfinding techniques. Students also have opportunities to learn more about the fabrication and maintenance techniques needed to keep our treasured canoes sailing into the future. Multiple off campus trips occur utilizing both Punahou’s paddling canoes and our new sailing canoe Kamaola. Students are required to take a swim test in order to paddle and sail on Punahou’s canoes.

Open to grades 9, 10, 11, 12. Prerequisites: None. Semester course. One half credit. Satisfies general elective credit. This course may be repeated for credit. CBL course

This course aims to develop the mindset and skills of the oceanic wayfinder as it

pertains to the care and stewardship of island communities. He wa‘a he moku, the canoe is an island: at sea, there is an intimate awareness of the limited resources available. Your canoe becomes your island. The health of the crew and canoe is the health of yourself. The resources of the sea and the canoe are what sustain you. You must constantly be a steward of the food, waste, water and crew to keep the canoe sailing safely in the right direction. He moku he wa‘a, the island is a canoe: even on an island, resources are finite, space is limited and the environment is fragile. People must depend on each other, care for their communities, and steward the natural environment in order to thrive.

Open to grade 12. Prerequisite: A Gateway course. Semester course (Spring semester). One-half credit. Satisfies Social Studies graduation requirement for Senior Capstone.