- Are you curious about the unique ecology and ethnobotany of our Islands?
- Are you committed to sustainable use of the environment?
- Do you want to learn about the ecosystems of Hawaii and the interactions of organisms with their environment?
- Do you want to understand why knowing traditional Hawaiian land and water use is important today?
- Do you want to understand the values of native species’ conservation and alien species’ eradication?
- Do you want to learn about changes in land use over time and how they affect the environment?
- Do you want to work with local caretakers and stewards, as well as students and faculty from other disciplines and institutions?
Join the Malama i na Ahupuaa (MINA) service-learning program!
MINA integrates cultural, historic and environmental learning. It aims to develop a “sense of place” by creating a fund of knowledge and practical experience.
Virtual Project
MINA’s usual format is face-to-face, at outdoor sites with Native Hawaiian significance; the information below generally pertains to the face-to-face program. However, MINA will be virtual until COVID-19 conditions allow it to reincorporate face-to-face opportunities. Virtual work will be dedicated to supporting the MINA sites & community groups (e.g.: research, outreach) and/or your own ahupuaa.
Orientation will be on Zoom. Email MINA leaders to join, and forward their email confirmation (in lieu of obtaining a signature) to servicelearning@chaminade.edu along with a photo/scan of your completed CUH S-L Connection Agreement. On that form, in the blank for your site supervisor’s signature, simply write “See email.”
Location
Various environmental sites.
Responsibilities
Take care of Native Hawaiian cultural and natural sites under the leadership of kupuna and other caretakers. Assist with maintenance, preservation, restoration.
Hours
View the MINA calendar for details and updates on sites and activities.
Check out the MINA website and Fact Sheet for mandatory activities.
To fulfill the hour and topic requirements for this service-learning program, you should participate in all mandatory activities and use the remaining hours to either work individually or in small groups at an approved site (examples: Heeia or Waikalua fishponds, or ohana-style poi production) You can also participate in optional activities that fit your schedule and interests.
Training
- Register for service-learning.
- Attend a pre-scheduled orientation or “first activity.” No RSVP is needed, but you must be prompt.
- Ask Dr. Ulla Hasager to please email you with confirmation that you have completed MINA intake. Forward this email to servicelearning@chaminade.edu and attach a scan/photo of your completed Chaminade Community Connection Agreement. In the blank for your site supervisor’s signature, simply write, “See email from Dr. Ulla.”
- Chaminade does not count orientation, training and reflection time as service hours.
- View the MINA calendar and the Malama i na Ahupuaa website for updates.
If you missed the orientation but would like to participate this semester, check with the site coordinators to see if it’s still possible to join. Email csssl@hawaii.edu.
Site Supervisors
Dr. Ulla Hasager is an Ethnic Studies professor; she directs MINA and its core group of student leaders.
