Kauai Ethnography and Ethnobotany 

Imagine waking up among the fragrant hala at Naue by the sea. Picture the light filtering down through the canopy of leaves above you as you work in Limahuli Gardens preserving native plant species in the legendary Ahupua’a of Haena. Envision the wind whipping through your hair as you paddle hard in an outrigger canoe. This is a typical day on this Winterim in Kauai. 

On this trip, we focus on two fields: ethnography (the study of cultures) and ethnobotany (the scientific study of the traditional knowledge and customs of a people concerning plants). Our goal is to deepen our school’s friendships with our friends on Kauai at Limahuli Garden and Preserve and the Hanalei Canoe Club and, through those relationships, to explore the multifaceted life on the island. We will interact with community leaders, observe the community with a researcher’s eye, and learn how to sensitively and ethically work with our community hosts. Participants will be staying in cabins at YMCA Camp Naue, and will need to have their own sleeping bags and pillows. This camp, on the beach, will be our home base as we explore the famous North Shore of Kauai. Students on this program should be ready to paddle outrigger canoes, complete active work in the gardens during our service times, take long hikes, and be motivated to learn everything they can about the rich culture of Kauai.

We will spend our time in Colorado before our trip learning about how to complete ethnographic research, as well as embarking on our study of the botany and history of Hawaii. Additionally, students will be introduced to the ethnobotany of Hawaii including the various types of plants that they will work with in their service work (i.e., native species, “canoe plants,” and invasive species).

Educational Goals:

  1. Learn about the significance of the ocean to Hawaiian cultures.

  2. Learn about the human geography of the region and its impact on the botanical diversity of the islands.

  3. Study the diversity of Hawaiian culture with a focus on indigenous culture. 

  4. Develop respect and understanding of each other as a team. 

Instructors: TJ Alcala and Erin Romano

Open to: Grades 9-12

Limit: 12 students    

Cost: $2790

Local Day: Friday, March 5

Depart: Monday, March 8

Return: Sunday, March 14