Newsletter--Ho'oilo 1996

On January 21, 1996, a canoe site among the ironwood trees on the beach at Hakipu'u, was dedicated and blessed. The site, next to Kualoa Regional Park on Kane'ohe Bay, O'ahu, was developed through a a partnership between PVS and the Hakipu'u 'Ohana and Kualoa Ranch. It will house six-man sailing canoes and paddling canoes used in PVS's Exploration Learning Center. The double-hulled canoe Eala, used by PVS for coastal voyaging, is moored at He'eia Kea Pier, Kane'ohe.

Kane'ohe Bay has been selected as the primary site for the Exploration Learning Center on O'ahu because of its safe conditions for teaching sailing (a well protected bay with a barrier reef) and its rich cultural, scientific, educational, and community resources. To make use of these resources, PVS is developing education programs which integrate science and culture, and which require students to apply classroom learning to real life challenges and experiences.

The purpose of the Center is to excite and challenge students to learn about, respect, and care for the land, sea, and people of Hawai'i and to contribute to the Vision and Mission of PVS. Programs are designed to:

Students from UH Manoa's Center for Hawaiian Studies and Windward Community College, and Wai'anae High School participated in the ELC during the Spring of 1996. Wai'anae Hawaiian Civic Club, Hui Nalu, and Loch Eggers donated sailing canoes for the program. The program is supported by the Hawai'i Community Foundation and Queen's Health Systems.

A healthy, productive, safe Hawai'i and planet Earth.

In partnership with other groups, PVS is committed to developing and conducting model educational programs using voyaging to excite and challenge students and their communities to learn about, respect, and care for their natural and social environment.

Develop and conduct a voyaging program that prepares students to take responsibility for themselves, their community, and their environment.

Forge partnerships with cultural and scientific organizations, government agencies, and community groups to develop and maintain healthy, productive, safe communities.