Welcome to the 
He'eia Elementary School 
2nd Grade Ahupua'a Home Page

 

Painting by Patrick Ching for Division of Aquatic Resources
State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources

'Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono
The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness

          The ancient Hawaiians lived in land divisions called ahupua'a. Water was considered one of its most 
important natural resources for food and drink.  The freshwater streams that began up in the mountain 
forests and flowed to the sea provided them with water for plants to grow. In addition to watering plants 
for food, medicine, or articles for daily living, the water from the streams was also used to build fishponds,
homes for many endemic, or native, species of fishes, shrimps, and shellfishes.  In later years, more 
organisms were introduced to these streams in the lower reaches of the ahupua'a, some of which preyed 
upon the native species or competed with them for food and habitat.
        The second graders of He'eia Elementary School have been studying about some of the stream 
organisms found in our Hawaiian streams.Through their studies and activities they have discovered that 
humans have had a major impact on the stream environment. Pollution, the introduction of alien species, 
and the diversion of streams have created negative conditions for these native organisms. The theme of their
unit is "Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina," which is also our state's motto. What can each of us do to make this a 
better place to live? Like the Hawaiians of old, we have a responsibility to care for the environment and its 
natural resources. 

Science Content Standards:

Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to engage in scientific inquiry.

Students will apply the values, attitudes, and commitments characteristic of an inquiring mind.

Students will use the problem-solving process to address current issues involving human adaptation in the environment.

Students will explain the process of how scientific knowledge is generated by scientific inquiry, and be able to critique a scientific investigation.

Students will analyze and evaluate the interdependence of science, technology, and society.

Students will make decisions needed to sustain life on Earth now and for future generations by considering the limited resources and fragile environmental conditions. "Malama I Ka 'Aina"

Students will examine the unity and diversity of organisms and how they can be compared scientifically.

Language Arts Content Standards:

Students will write using various forms to communicate for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Students will use writing processes and strategies appropriately and as needed to construct meaning and communicate effectively.

Students will communicate orally using various forms - interpersonal, group, and public -- for a variety of purposes and situations.

Students will use strategies within speaking and listening processes to construct and communicate meaning.

Technology Content Standards:

Students will use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

Students use technology to communicate, to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.

Scientific Inquiry

Hypotheses: 

Native Stream Organisms Mini - Book (Kid Pix and EasyBook software programs)

Stream Impact Statement Booklet (a class booklet with individual student statements that reflect their
findings)

Stream Impact Statement Posters (individual student posters to promote community awareness)

Back to the topAssessment

Students will maintain a log or journal that will include the KWL approach to learning: K - What students KNOW about environmental issues W - What students WANT or hope to learn L - What students have LEARNED

Students will create a mini-book to share with their parents and the rest of the school community about their studies and findings. They will design posters that illustrate the positive or negative impact that humans have on the native Hawaiian streams.

Students will share their knowledge and experiences with other student members of the ahupua'a project schools on a website dedicated for this purpose.

Back to the top

Photo Album

Native and Introduced Hawaiian organisms

 

Left to Right: O'opu, 'Opae, Hihiwai

Left to Right: Tilapia, Swordtail, Crayfish

Dojo

Stream Survivor Activities

The aholehole (predator) gets ready to capture the larvae (prey).

Stream divergence creates a worse situation for the native organisms.

Introduced species in our island streams make it even worse!

Back to the top Resources

Field Trip:

Hawaii Nature Center

Textbooks and Articles:

Henry, Lehman L. (Bud). He'eia Fishpond: Loko I'a O He'eia. Honolulu, Hawaii: Ke'alohi Press, 1993.

Morita, Clyde M. Freshwater Fishing in Hawaii, Department of Planning & Economic Development, State of Hawaii, 1981.

Kamehameha Schools. The Ahupua'a. Life in Early Hawai'i. Kamehameha Schools Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, 
     Honolulu, 1994.

Moanalua Gardens Foundation.  'Ohi'a Project, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and Moanalua Gardens Foundation in 
     cooperation with the Hawaii State Department of Education, 1993.

Orr, Katherine.  Discover Hawaii's Freshwater Wildlife, Island Heritage Publishing, 1998.

Williams, Julie S. From the Mountains to the Sea - Early Hawaiian Life. Kamehameha Schools Press, Honolulu, 1997.

Videotapes:

"Running Waters -- to the Sea". University of Hawaii. Waikiki Aquarium, 1977.28:30 minutes.

"Water Runs Downhill". University of Hawaii. 13 minutes. 

"Hawaii's Streams". Department of Education. Instructional Television, 1984. 19:56 minutes.

"Flowing to the Sea". Bishop Museum/Moanalua Gardens Foundation, 1992. 23 minutes.

"Endangered Habitat/Species". Department of Education/Distance Learning Technology, 1995. 60 minutes.

"Apoha: A Fish Story". Department of Health, 1994. 8:08 minutes.

Internet - Web Sites:

Hawaiian Streams: http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/hawn_streams.htm