What is Special, Valuable and Unique about Our Home Islands?
The topic of what is special, valuable and unique about our home islands in the Pacific can be used at any grade level and involve various kinds of assignments in various time frames—short informal writing (30 minutes of class time); a formal essay (a week or more, with multiple drafts); a research and writing project; creation of a website or video (the whole semester); and so on. The assignment can be given in a Social or Cultural Studies class, an English or literature class (a writing exercise, an interpretation of a folk tale, myth, or a story of the island), Geography class (descriptions of place), Biology or Environmental Science class (flora and fauna), etc.
After the voyage PVS will review and analyze the responses about what is special, valuable, and unique about Hawai'i and begin developing a vision for Hawai'i's future, on how we can best preserve and perpetuate what we value. The vision will be posted at the PVS website in hopes of stimulating public discussion about Hawai'i's voyage into the future: where do we want to go and why, and what is the best way(s) to get there?
Definitions
1. “Special” means "surpassing what is common or usual; exceptional; distinct among others of a kind."
2. “Valuable” means "important, cherished, treasured; held in esteem by the community."
3. “Unique” means "one of a kind; unlike anything found elsewhere in the world."
Examples of What Makes Our Island Homes Special, Valuable, and Unique
A cultural tradition in Hawai’i
Voyaging on Hawaiian canoes like Hokule'a and Makali’ is special and unique to Hawai'i and valued by our communities! The Polynesian Voyaging Society and Na Kalai Wa’a Moku o Hawai’i are dedicated to preserving and perpetuating voyaging in Hawai’i by continuing to build and sail canoes, to explore, and to share what we learn with others. To read about what makes Hokule'a special, valuable and unique, see Celebrating over Three Decades of Voyaging, Since 1975.
A cultural tradition in Satawal
Mau's navigation tradition is special, valuable and unique to the island of Satawal. Mau has chosen to perpetuate it by sharing it with Hawaiians and other Polynesians and Pacific Islanders. An Article published in OHA notes that “Mau and [his son] Sesario have formed an organization called the ‘Mau Piailug Society,’ which is dedicated to the perpetuation of traditional navigation and Mau’s vision of creating ‘one united cultural Family throughout the pacific dedicated to the proposition that in our hearts we are all one people.’ Click here to find out more about Mau's navigation and the Pacific-wide School of Navigation.
Traditional stories
The stories of Ku'ula kai, a fishing god, and his son 'Ai'ai are special, valuable and unique to Hawai'i and in particular to the district of Hana, Maui, where the story begins. The story is important because Ku'ula kai and 'Ai'ai were exemplary men who became worshipped as gods. They taught people how to fish, how to conserve the fish supply so that there would always be fish when needed, and how to share the catch with others, so that no one would go hungry. We can keep these stories alive by retelling them, publishing them in books or on the web, and reading and studying them at home or in the classroom.
A place
Nihoa is a place unique to Hawai'i. It's home to two birds, the Nihoa finch and Nihoa millerbird, found only there. The endangered Hawaiian monk seal also inhabits the island. Endangered native plants include a loulu, or fan palm, and 'ohai (a shrub). Cultural sites, dating from between A.D. 1000 and A.D. 1700, include agricultural terraces, shelters, and religious places built from stone. To read more about Nihoa and what makes it special, visit the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands website. In 2006, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Nihoa included, were declared a National Monument by President Bush and will be preserved and protected by both the Federal Government and the State of Hawai'i.
A bird
The 'i'iwi, a red honeycreeper, is special and unique to Hawai'i. (photo or drawing of a 'i'iwi). We value this bird not only because of its beauty, but also because it is found no where else in the world. If it goes extinct like other native forest birds, it will be lost forever. While its population is relatively stable for now, its habitat and numbers is declining. For causes of the decline and efforts to conserve and perpetuate the ‘i’iwi, see “Hawaii's Endemic Birds” by James D. Jacobi, National Biological Service and Carter T. Atkinson National Biological Service. One organization dedicated to preserving “the plants, animals, and ntarual communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth is the Nature Conservancy. To read about its special project on the Big Island of Hawai’i to preserve the habitat of the ‘i’iwi, see “Kahuku Ranch”.
Examples of Extended Projects about Special Places in the Pacific
If you and your class are interested in developing an extended project on a place (an ahupua'a, a district, a neighborhood, etc.), see Pacific Worlds for examples. A teachers resource guide provides idea on how to develop such a project.