SCIENCE 197 Introduction to Environmental Science/ Mälama `Äina

 

 

Kaeo Bradford    – Module Instructor                  Revised Mar 31, 2006

Office: DA-111

Phone: 455-0225

Email: jbradfor@hawaii.edu

 

Michael Lane – Module Instructor

Office: MS 102A

Phone: 455-0502

Email: mlane@hawaii.edu

 

Roger Kwok – Module Instructor

Office: PS 202

Phone: 455-0261

Email: skwok@hawaii.edu

 

 

Course Description

Science 197 is a four (4) credit physical science course with a lab and is an overview of the environmental science of the Hawaiian Islands. Major topics include basic science principles, geology, oceanography, beaches and coastal regions, coral reefs, water resources, pollution, and Hawaiian perspectives of the environment. Occasional fieldtrips to practice “hands on” knowledge included.

 

Also included are basic math principles, Physics, Chemistry and some Biology. The review of Ethno-botany flora and fauna to the Hawaiian Islands and Hawaiian Astronomy/ Navigation is also introduced.

 

- Native Perspective

The following syllabus is for one of three (3) modules for the course above that includes information on Native perspective that will be used in conjunction with Science 197 curriculum. Some videos on native environment will be included.

See www.laniainakai.com/envir_sci_syllabus.html for more information on the science portion of syllabus.

 

 

Student Outcomes:

  • Should be able to discuss the Hawaiian perspectives of the natural environment and relate it to the cultural values of Mälama `Äina.
  • Ability to apply scientific principles to environmental science.
  • Ability to discuss historical impact of events in Hawai`i and how it affected the environment.
  • Ability to discuss environmental pollution, degradation and remediation in Hawai`i.
  • Awareness and knowledge that we all have “kuleana” to Mälama `Äina for future generations. In order to promote environmental sustainability, we must prepare this generation of students to become 21st Century Kahuna (specialists). 

 

 

 

SCI 197 Syllabus: Native Perspective

Sacred chants/stories & Sayings of the Land/Wahi Pana/ `ölelo no`eau I ke Kaiapuni

 

Ha’awina 1    `Epekema Kaiapuni           - Introduction to Environmental Science

                                                                        Cultural Beliefs

Oli

                                                                        Creation stories/ Chant of Kauikeaouli

                                                                        Story of Häloa

                                                                        Pele

 

                        Meakino a Ikemu                - Matter and Energy

Lab                                                                 Pono – Religious/Cultural Beliefs

                                                                        Balance/harmony

                                                                        Kuleana

 

Ha’awina 2    Kumu Honua                       - Formation (creation) of the Hawaiian        

                                                                        Islands

                                                                        `aumakua, Intro to Kini Akua

                        Gods and Goddeses and their role in the environment

                                                           

                        Pele                                        - Volcanoes

Pele and Kamapua`a, Namakaokaha`i, Wao Akua, Wao Nehele, Wao kanaka

Lab                                                    

 

 

Ha’awina 3    Kilomoana                            - Oceanography of HI

                                                                        Water sources/ Kanaloa

                                                                        Kü & Hina

                                                                       

                        Ke Kai Nalu,  Ke Kai Au    - Waves, Tides, Current

Lab                                                                   - Ku`ula Kai

                                                                        - Kü and Hina association

Ha’awina 4    Nä Ha`aliu  I Kahakai         - Beach/coastal processes                                                            

                                                                        - Sacred sites of worship 

- Beach formation & destruction

Pü Ko`a/Fish stories

 

                        Ko`a                                       - Coral reefs –HI

Lab                                                                 Makahiki Season cultural activities

                                                                        Hawaiian Moon Calendar

                                                                        Lono associations

 

Ha’awina 5    Ko`a                                       - Coral reefs

                                                                        Ahupua`a, fishponds, Lo`i

 

                        Wai                                         -  Water

Lab                                                                 Kane Stories

Kanawai

 

                        Kumu Wai                             - Water Resources

 

 

Ha’awina 6    Haumia Wai                          - Aquatic Pollution

                                                                       

Lab                 Kemika Wai                          - Water Chemistry

                                                                       

 

Ha’awina 7    Kälaikaiaola                         - Ecology of the HI

                        Ahupua’a

La`au Hawai`i                      - Hawaiian botany

Lab                                                                 Medicinal plants and uses

Ha’awina 8    Loko I’a                                 -Fishponds

 

Ha’awina 9    Lo’I Kalo                               -Taro farming

                                                                       

                        Haumia                                  - Pollution

 

Ha’awina 10 Ho`omalu `opala                 - Waste management

                                                                        Kuleana

Lab                 Loa`apa`amau                     - Sustainability

                                                                        Art, music, environment

                                                           

Ha’awina 11 Konohiki                               - Environmental Stewardship

He ali`I ka äina he kauä ke kanaka

                                                                        The land is chief, the people are its servants

Historical events that have impacted the environment

Lab                                                                   Kuleana

                                                                        REVISITING HÄLOA

 

Ha’awina 12 Ho`ike                                    -Conclusion

-Presentations, see explanation below

 

Note:

-          Cultural Garden Days- at leeward Community College will be part of Lab education and ethno-botany. Students will have an opportunity to do some Hands on work and propagate some native plants.

-          See La’au Hawai’I and plant usage

-          Huaka’i-excursions will be held on Fridays this term to facilitate classroom/lab experiences. Participation is mandatory.

 

                 

 

 

 

 

Some videos considered for course:

1.                  Maoli Nö – Nature Conservancy

2.                  Endangered Waters – KAHEA

3.                  Wayfinders – a pacific odyssey

4.                  LCC – Botany

Nä Maka o Ka `Äina

5.                  Act of War

6.                  Ho`äla Hou  

7.                  The Hawaiian Art of Healing

 

 

 

NOTEBOOKS: Reflective Journals – Native Perspective

 

Each week students will be required to write a reflective critical analysis paper of reading materials distributed on a particular subject.  Each paper must be type-written, double-spaced, not less than two pages and not more than three pages long. Included in every paper should be a summary of the reading and then a comparison of “native” thought and modern science being discussed in class.  Students must include citations.

 

To receive full credit, students must turn in the assignment in the following weekly class and on a timely basis.  In turn, the instructor will return assignments in a timely manner as students will be required to keep a journal of all native perspective papers, media topics, lab activities, “hands on” notes, quizzes etc.

 

For every week paper is over due, student will lose1/2 of credits (ex. If total is 2 points, student will receive only one (1) point if turned in two weeks late).  Time management is an important factor.

 

Textbooks for course

Living in the Environment, Miller, G. Tyler, 14th edition, 2005

Roadside Geology of Hawaii,

Chemistry in your Life, 2005

 

Hawaiian resources used in class:

Hawaiian Mythology. Beckwith, Martha, 1970

Hawaiian Dictionary. Elbert & Pukui

Place Names of Hawai`i. Pukui, Elbert and Mo`okini,

Hawaiian Antiquities. Malo, David

`Ölelo No`eau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings. Pukui

La`au Hawai`i. Abbot, Isabelle

A Native Hawaiian Garden. Culliney & Koebele, 1999

Polynesian Voyaging & the Wayfinding Art. Evenari, Gail, 1995

 

Topics for Ho`ike Presentations - Hawaiian Perspectives/Science

(Tentative-TBA)

For final day of instruction, students will be tasked to give a 5 minute presentation of any subject (unduplicated) listed below.  See Kumu Kaeo for method of presentation. Student must present to peer group for full credit.

 

  1. Chemistry/Beliefs systems relevant to the environment - `aumakua

 

2.   Ku`ula Kai – Fishponds/sustainability today?

 

3.   Hydrology System – Ka Wai o Kane

 

4.   Historical Impact – Early Native Hawaiian impact – ex. Mahele

 

5.   Hawaiian Moon Calendar/ Fishing Regulations today

 

6.   Hawaiian Navigation – Meteorology today

 

7.   Hawaiian Botany – ex. Hybridization of Native Plants? Medicinal?

 

  1. Cultural Arts and or Music – Impact in history

 

  1. Current events – Conservation

 

  1.  Kalo Cultivation – ancestral roots? Hybridization?

 

  1.  Pele  -   Hawaiian Geology of the islands

 

  1.  Ke Kai – impact on the island environment: waves, currents, etc.

 

  1. Current events – Ecotourism: good/bad?