I am a volunteer teacher at Chuuk High School (CHS) on Weene Island in Chuuk, FSM. I teach Chuukese Social Studies. CHS is the largest high school in the FSM and students come from all regions of the state, high islands and distant coral atolls.

I recently watched a movie about American youth attending an inner city high school. The students tested at below average levels in basic academic areas, their living situations were not good.

As I watched this film it struck me that my Chuukese students are more familiar with the dress (ball caps on backwards, baggy pants), Tupac and other music, hip-hop dancing and an awareness of gangs than they are with the scenes they recently saw when I showed them the film “The Navigators”, about Mau Piailug, sailing canoes and traditional navigation.

While some of the students from remote islands have a greater appreciation of traditional art forms, and knowledge of canoes and dance, many also live in urban plight, attend schools that are not functioning well, and are exposed to a life of poverty in communities that are stressed. This is a far cry from the traditional island life with a social structure that provided for all.

The Chuukese Social Studies Class is a very small step in the process of trying to help students find out who they are, because currently the outer appearance and inner values are based on products, culture and ideas that are not of their or their ancestors making.

As a teacher, I jumped at the opportunity to get our school involved in the 2007 Voyage of Hokule’a and Alingano Maisu. We are hoping that this historic voyage will be the catalyst for getting classes in traditional values, knowledge, skills and lifestyles accepted as something to be learned and valued and a part of the high school curriculum.

ALOHA...I am a long term 7th grade Social Studies substitute teacher at Kalama Intermediate School, located in Makawao, Maui, U.S.A. Having read Clark Graham entry, I was inspired to participate. I am happy to share and eager to learn w/my students the "voyage for education" during the next few months. We look forward to involving our Kalama students (approx 15 for now) w/global education via the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

We have just about completed 25 days of understanding/exploring global geography, our individual and family culture, values, beliefs, and norms. We are moving in the direction of focusing on the Pacific Island region w/the voyage and journey as our guiding star. Our course objectives:

* Explore and understand that culture is a system of beliefs, knowledge, and practices shared by a group. Explore and understand how cultural systems change over a period of time.

* Master a broad body of global knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of world geography, with a close focus in the Pacific Island reigion.

* Use historical, current, and other significant date to support an agreement or position.

Challenges: Yesterday this option of education was offered to students and the challenge of how to maintain their involvement/interest until the return home of all crewmembers. Classrm computers may need adjustments for student/teacher space, digital camera use/training and other equipment for educational purposes. I still need to read more on the Polynesian Voyaging Society website.

Misc Info: I'm 53 yrs. of Hawaiian/Filipino and my respects to the crewmembers and supporters of this voyage.....BIG MAHALO to all!!!

Request for any crewmember: Respectfully request a crewmember keep count of the green flashes sighted at sunset until arrival to Yap, Yap State (FSM)? I was a Signalman in the U.S. Navy onboard six ships and I miss being at sea.....MAHALO

mwa pwat akan ina me jonowasomw....ra kin

haterz dont be a fool...