Ka Mo'olelo O Hawai'i Fieldtrip

Ka Mo'olelo O Hawai'i Fieldtrip - Page Text Content

S: Ka Mo'olelo O Hawai'i Fieldtrip

BC: That was Our Trip as a class to the Lo'i and Fishpond On 'Oahu

FC: Our Fieldtrip to Paepae O He'eia and a Lo'i on the island of 'Oahu

3: This is the wall of the fishpond called Paepae o He'eia. This wall is still standing since the Hawaiians last touched it which is amazing to know. The wall was constructed of rocks on the outside and coral on the inside to prevent the wall from natural wearing. We learned that the Hawaiians had to make the walls by themselves and it was the hardest part of fishing. To know that this wall is one of the last original fishpond walls is amazing to know and it makes you believe that the Hawaiians did truly care about their youth and the future generations.

5: This is a puffer fish that is trapped inside the makaha which is a gateway that is used for water circulation and also to trap fish so that it is easier for the fishermen to catch the fish. The makaha was something that I did not expect to know the Hawaiians had created and that they were so intelligent in fishing and the seasons of fish and when it is best to recrute and also to take.

7: The lady behind Freddie is one of our tour guide and you can tell by the way she shared everything she knew with us and how she delivered it that she truly loved talking about the Hawaiians and the work that they did in the fishponds. She shared facts that were suprising to hear like the fact that the fishpond sells hundreds of pounds of fish per year. This is truly what the Hawaiians would want people doing, sharing everything they know with the younger generations.

9: In this picture is Uncle Val, Uncle Danny and his wife. They were so nice and kind to our class and i would like to go back to visit them again. they were so open with their stories and knowledge about the lo'i that we were able to find out as much as we could from them. they are like kupunas that love to pass down their knowledge to the young so that we can take that knowledge and do something in life. they were so loving that i felt like i was with one of my own aunties and uncles, which i feel shows who a true Hawaiian is.

11: Here is a traditional part of a lo'i wher wetland taro or kalo is grown. we were able to go and till the soil in a wet patch that was about to be used for planting. we played games that made us run around in the mud and tackle each other but it was to help Uncle Danny and Uncle Val out. it made me so happy that people like Uncle Danny take their time to find the old ways of farming and that he is sharing it with kids like us in the hopes that one or two children will take over with the job of running a lo'i for free.

13: Ah the boys in our class. After working in the Lo'i we were able to wash off in a freezing cold water stream, but at least we were getting clean. The agrigation of the water is so resourceful in a lo'i that you are suprised that farmers do not use the traditional ways of farming anymore, because it uses the water well. The fact that our class could come together and learn about farming reminds me of what it would be like for children growing up and learning what you need to know to become a farmer.