Over the course of our five day program, our student participants were exposed to a variety of topics, ‘āina sites across O‘ahu doing amazing work, and inspirational people that they could learn from related to our theme of sustainable agriculture.

 

Based on our pre and post survey results, 9/16 (56%) of student participants rated their experience in this program a 10 (Best Thing Ever!). All students had a positive response to their overall experience in this program.

Students highlighted that they learned a lot of new perspectives on the environmental and economic issues as well as solutions around sustainable food systems in Hawaiʻi. Some examples of student responses to examples of environmental issues threatening our food systems in Hawaiʻi include - food insecurity, invasive species, climate change, water issues, pollution, tourism, gentrification, unsustainable farming methods, and the need for more restoration.

Students responded that this program has shown them ways they can help contribute to their community and ʻāina, as well as exposed them to “various green collar careers out there that help with ʻāina conservation”.

 

Students responded that they would like to continue their journey in conservation or have changed their academic goals to now include ʻāina. Most students were already interested in conservation-related careers, so they responded that this program deepened their interest and made them “way more excited, passionate, and knowledgeable about the path I want to take”.

 

Students enjoyed the huakaʻi to all of the different sites as well as appreciated the manaʻo that was shared by all of the guest speakers. All of the sites were very diverse, exposing the students to different perspectives on food systems in Hawai‘i. One student responded, “The speakers at Wa‘ianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center have impacted me the most. They made me realize that there are more ways than one which people contribute to taking care of the land..and that is by working with local farmers to come together to collaborate in creating a healthier and more sustainable relationship with food”.

There were a lot of positive responses about the different guest speakers the students were able to connect with. They shared how much they appreciated the aloha that they felt from everyone as well as the aloha these people shared for their community and ʻāina.

Students felt inspired hearing the many ways different people in our community are helping to grow, distribute, and support local, healthy food in Hawaiʻi.