Immersive Experience

With such a massive island, there was so much to explore. We drove all over the island, visiting national parks and monuments, exploring every nook and cranny of the island, and learning about the unique biodiversity and ecosystems present.

On the first day of our trip, we visited Greenwell Farms. A tour of the property was led by a local, named Chai, who was wonderful and provided deep insight on how coffee was harvested, and its labor-intensive nature. As a resident of Kona all her life, Chai spoke on the development of tourism and global warming, and their effects on coffee production. She also explained how larger corporations continued to make it more difficult for local businesses to produce on the island. 

During our trip, we had the chance to learn from a native oral historian, Mikaela, one of the few remaining in Hawai'i. She told many traditional stories of the gods and goddesses that influenced her native religion. Beyond the stories though, she spoke on her experience being part of a native Hawai'ian tribe, and the role it played in her childhood and creating her identity.

Our service goal for the trip was to establish a self-sustaining garden in Hawai'i to bolster the ecosystem. After clearing dead shrubs and preparing the soil, we enjoyed a traditional Hawaiian dinner. Afterwards, we planted over 50 plant species to enrich the soil year-round, contributing to the sustainability of the land.