School: Kamaile Academy Public Charter School
Grade Level: Grade 6
Teacher: Abraham Concepcion and Bryan Mitchell
Driving Question: How can we, as 6th graders, kanaka, choose KOA to live and embrace sustainability in the 21st century to preserve and save our kai (ocean), aina (forest), and malama, our ahupua’a for future generations?
What did the students DO?
This culturally rooted group blends traditional outdoor survival skills with modern archery practice, weaving in moʻolelo (stories), hands-on learning, and lessons in sustainability. Guided by Abraham and Bryan, students engage in various huakaʻi (field trips), learn knot tying, hale (shelter) building, and develop archery skills with a strong foundation in safety and mālama ʻāina (caring for the land). Their journey is both practical and cultural, culminating in the creation of their own handmade bows for Hoʻike, the school’s end-of-year celebration.
- Huakaʻi and Hikes: Students participated in multiple huakaʻi (excursions) and hikes where they observed their natural surroundings, identified animal tracks, and began to learn foundational hunting protocols rooted in Hawaiian practice. Their journey also included a visit to the Kapolei Archery Range, allowing them to expand their outdoor learning with hands-on experience in a real-world setting.
- On-Campus Skills Training: While on campus, students practiced archery and engaged in hands-on lessons in knot tying—essential skills used in both traditional and modern shelter building. They also constructed small hale (shelters), blending traditional materials and knowledge with modern techniques to support survival learning and ʻāina-based problem solving.
- Cultural Learning Through Moʻolelo: To connect their physical training with deeper cultural roots, students studied the moʻolelo of Pikoi, a legendary archer in Hawaiian storytelling. By integrating this moʻolelo into their archery practice and classroom discussions, students developed a greater appreciation for Hawaiian values and the role of storytelling in preserving ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledge).
- Safety, Sustainability & Community Wisdom: The group welcomed Uncle Vince for a special session on sustainable living, food independence, and the importance of mālama ʻāina (caring for the land). His talk emphasized environmental stewardship and safe practice, reinforcing the importance of kuleana (responsibility) and collaboration in all student-led activities.
- Hoʻike-Ready Skills: In preparation for Hoʻike, students are crafting their own functional bows using PVC pipe—a creative adaptation that bridges tradition with innovation. They are preparing to share these creations and present the ʻike and practical skills they have gained throughout the year to their peers, ʻohana, and community.
This program cultivates a meaningful blend of ʻike kūpuna (ancestral knowledge) and hands-on survival skills, empowering haumāna to connect deeply with the ʻāina and their heritage. Through archery, moʻolelo, and sustainable practices, students have learned resilience, teamwork, and responsibility. By crafting tools, building shelters, and learning from cultural mentors, they’ve grown in both confidence and capability. The experience has strengthened their pilina (relationship) with the land and instilled values that will guide them well beyond the classroom.