Field Study Programs: Water is Precious
Waihe'e Ridge

A one-day hiking adventure along a windward ridge introduces Hawai'i's water cycle in a way students will not soon forget! This program highlights weather patterns and the manmade impacts to our watershed, comparing them to natural factors that affect the ahupua'a. We visit a heiau along the trail, exploring how Hawaiian cultural history maintained balance with the natural elements. Students discuss the plant & animal adaptations necessary for survival on the exposed ridge where water is precious.

By the end of this program, students will be able to:

• Describe Hawai'i's unique weather patterns and explain the causes
• Explain how Maui gets its fresh water supply
• Understand the differences between native and non-native plants, birds, animals, and insects
• Identify 2 birds and 2 native plants found along Waihe'e Ridge
• Describe adaptations birds have made to survive in the rainforest

8:00 At school meeting place

• Introductions and briefing
• Outfit everyone at the school
• Develop rules of conduct for the day with students

En route to first stop:

• What makes Hawai'i's weather patterns unique (trade winds, windward vs. leeward)?
• How do we get fresh water here?
• Introduce the picture of water cycle, talk about Earth as the "water planet"

8:45 Arrive at Waihe'e Ridge trail

• Enter Kukui puka He'iau (after a chant asking for permission)
• "How Wet is our Planet" activity
• Discuss ways they can assist in conserving water; ways to minimize pollution, and connect all to the idea that water is precious
• "Lean on Me" activity - reemphasize the interconnectedness of water to all life on earth
• What are the 4 minimum needs in order to survive? Discuss with students what they observed, and relate this back to the theme that water is precious

9:15 Begin walk up Waihe'e Ridge trail

• Students carry extra water up the ridge for our stewardship project.
• Identify plant species (native vs. non-native) along the trail and in the distance. Why they are helpful, why are they harmful now?
• When reaching the first outlook (about 1600 ft) -- Why is the Rainforest Wet?
• Discuss watershed characteristics in Hawai'i

11:00 Arrive at top of trail - LUNCH

• Observations about the environment that can be seen from this vantage point
• "Rainforest Birds: A Study in Adaptation"
• Win, Lose or Adapt game
• Show pictures of native, non-native rainforest birds; students to compare and contrast evolutionary characteristics and guess their intended benefit

11:45 Begin the descent. Students have observation projects for the hike down

• Stewardship/Restoration Opportunity: Water ti plants at heiau (with permission)

12:45 Return to van and depart

• Overview questions about the day
• Focus on things that they can do to change or minimize human impacts on the area

1:30 Return to the school

Download the Waihe'e Ridge Program Packet

Seasonal Wetlands & the Watershed
Living Streams in Balance
The Blue-Green Bridge: Connecting Oceans & Streams
Journeys to the Sea

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PDF Files require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Contact Wild Hawai'i:
Wild Hawai'i Learning Adventures, Inc.
PO Box 1378
Kihei, Hawai'i 96753
Office: 808-874-1256
Fax: 808-875-7536
info@wildhawaii.net