To day my group went on a hike in to the mountains on the island of santa cruz even thought we didn't go as far as the other group so that we where able to do other things we still learned a lot and saw many beautiful things. On this hike we were able to see the different types of darwin finches and we also saw how they are getting rid of the rats because they are the ones who are killing the birds that are more of a ground bird then a flying bird. And there way is a simple pipe with rat poison inside and the reason for the pipe is so that the birds don't see the rat poison and think its food and eats it, they also said that this method is very effective with the decreasing population of the rats on the island of santa cruz. then after that we headed back to the bus so that we can go to the tortoise mating grounds, and when we where arriving there we ran into some of them on the road because they were in the middle of the road. when we got off the bus there was this sign that said you have to stay 2 meters from the tortoises, it because everything there is like protected so that they don't go extinct. then after that we went on a hike through a lava tube that was made and when we started walking down the stairs the air tempter got colder it was like an underground AC. then after that we went to go eat at this one local owned restaurant and it was really good they had like this fried banana it was so good because it was sweet and it was soft, if i could take some things back with me home it would be that just because of its unique flavor its just having something different. after that we headed back to the hotel so that we can rest up for our meeting that we had with the Hokulea crew and like the head people of the Galapagos, at the meeting we talked about what was the porous was for Hokulea going around the world and most of it had to be in Spanish because they kinda didn't understand English we also did our chat to them and the crew members help with chanting along. then after we went to go eat then headed back to the hotel showered then we to sleep.
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It was nice being able to sleep in for the first time in many days. We woke up around 7:00 am for a breakfast call around 7:30 am. It was grateful for having an actual breakfast, unlike yesterday when all we were given was a Cliff Bar. My favorite food that we’ve eaten has been mora, especially this morning when I put it on my toast. The hostel situation is kind of interesting. Most mornings all of the students gather in the "common area" (which is really just two couches next to the eating area), we wait for all of the teachers, we pule, then eat. Once we leave the two nice housekeepers wash all of our dishes from breakfast, then go down and take care of our room. They occasionally try to ask us questions, but the language barrier makes it hard for us to respond and them to understand the response that we give.
By the request of Mr. Blake last night, Kumu Sam ʻOhu Gon agreed to come with us up ma uka, even though he was supposed to go with watches A and B snorkleing. Our tour guide met us outside and Kumu ʻOhu made us all introduce ourselves again. Before embarking on our journey we said E Hō Mai and Kumu ʻOhu offered up a pule pale asking for guidance and protection for the day.
When we arrived at our first destination of the day we got off the bus and a few students from Kamehameha and Hālau Kū Mana, as well as Kumu ʻOhu offered up Pule Pale No Laka. Everything went silent, then all of a sudden birds started chirping again. It was if it was the hōʻailona that we were waiting for. I was estatic that I got to hike up with Kumu ʻOhu; I got to ask him a number of questions about the scenery and how it compared and contrasted with what we see back home in Hawaiʻi. The first plant that I noticed in the non-native lower reaches of the forest were Blue Virvine. Our tour guide, Nicholas, said that although it is not a native plant, it has yet to become invasive.
Nicholas also pointed out one of the many mouse/rat traps that they have set up throughout the native miconia forests. He said that it is pretty much just a pvc pipe with food and a sticky substance inside to trap the animals. Although it is effective in doing its job of mitigating the mouse and rat problem, these are single use traps. I mentioned to him that this summer with KUPU I help set up a number of GoodNature traps in Hawaiʻi. The cool thing about these traps is that they are multi use and last a fairly long time. The down side however is that they are expensive. When I mentioned this he said that he had never heard of the brand and that it sounds like a good idea, but he didn't think that the government would shell out so much money when the system that they have in place is doing it's job.
Along the trail Kumu ʻOhu grabbed a fern, turned it upside down so that it's spores were showing, and asked me what the genus and species was. I knew that I had seen something like it back home this summer, but instead of yellowy-gold, these spores were silvery-white. He told me to place it on my black leggings, and I instantly knew what the genus was - Dryopteris. He counted to three then slapped it, leaving a silvery-white spore tattoo on my leggings. Kumu ʻOhu said that I was right that the genus was Dryopteris, but presumed that the species was either filix-mas or affinis. He checked with Nicholas, and low and behold he was right, it was Dryopteris filix-mas. However, we got warned by Nicholas not to pick anymore flowers or plants because we were in the National Park.
We then hopped back on the bus to go to El Chato Tortoise Reserve where we would see the first of many giant tortoises during our time in the Galapagos. Before we were allowed to run amuck to find tortoises Nicholas warned us that tortoises mate all year long, but January to March are the peak months. Confused, we began making our way to the forest. Shortly thereafter we understood what he meant. Before seeing the tortoises we heard them - the noises the males made as they were getting it on. I thought that they sounded more like cows than what I expected tortoises to sound like. Aside from the sex and Mr. Blake cheering "Hoʻomau!", it was pretty cool getting so close to these gentle giants, many of which were probably 50+ years old.
Me ke aloha,
Kiana Davis Tonight we went to the community municipal building to listen to Hōkūleʻa crew members share about what the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage is all about as well as what they have gained from this truly remarkable experience. Before the crew members began sharing we got up on stage with them to do Oli Kahea. Towards the end of the program we got back up on stage to do Auwē Ua Hiti Ē, Ia Waʻa Nui, and Hawaiʻi Aloha. It was as if with each mele or oli that was said the mana in the room grew. So much so that by the time we grasped eachothers hands to sing Hawaiʻi Aloha many of us were crying. By no means were we crying from sadness, rather I was brought to tears because of understanding – undersanding of why I was put on this journey and what will forever remain with me. Below are some of my takeaways from just a handful of the crew members and notable Hawaiians who were wiling to share their story. Nainoa Thompson
Sam ʻOhu Gon & Aulani Wilhelm
Archie Kalepa & Billy Richards
Haunani Kāne & Jason Patterson
Under the Stars
Me ke aloha,
Kiana Davis Today was really the first day that we split up into our different watches or huis. Watches A and B went on a tour of the uplands of Santa Cruz while watches C and D snorkeled and went on a short hike on Bartolome Island. Being that I am part of watch D, we had to get up at 6:00 for a 6:30 breakfast (which was more of a snack than an actual breakfast), then headed off to the bus at 7:00. From there we rode a bus back to the same dock across from Baltra Island to hop on a boat to take us to the spot that we would be snorkeling at. Shaye, Emily, Kainoa, Mr. Blake, and I sat on the front of the boat, trying to make the most of the two-and-a-half-hour ride. We got a little tired and ended up taking a nap. Derek ended up snapping a picture of all of us which accurately depicted how tired we were from waking up so early. I felt fine on the boat until the captain let some of the students test drive it. At one point it felt like students were trying to spell out their name with the steering wheel. Once we got to the spot we hopped on the dingy to spot that we’d be snorkeling at. After snorkeling for some time we got back on the boat to head to Bartolome. Our guide Venus told us that this island is the one that pops into most people’s minds when they think of the Galapagos and that we would understand why when we got to the top. On the way up she pointed out the different lava forms – pāhoehoe and ʻaʻā. I was surprised that she had called them this, being that they are Hawaiian names. Uncle Mark Ellis told me that it is because these have become official scientific names and that all around the world people call smoother lava pāhoehoe and rougher lava aʻa.
When we got back down to the area where the dingy had previously dropped us off Kainoa sat and put his feet in the water. As the dingy neared to pick us back up the skipper began yelling at him in Spanish. Venus told him that he had to get his feet out of the water because everything around here is so highly protected and that the only permit that they have is for access to the island and not the waters surrounding it. There was not enough space on the dingy for everyone to go back at one time, so we broke into two groups. I stayed back with the second group and got to talk a little more one on one with Venus about all the things that we were seeing. Mr. Kamalu was in awe of all of the red-orange crabs. We asked whether or not they eat them, and Venus said no because there is so little meat on them. It was interesting because in Hawaiʻi we eat crabs that size and even smaller sometimes. When the dingy came back for us, instead of heading straight back to the boat we went around a bend to see some sea lions and blue-footed boobies. Being the child that he is, Mr. Blake shouted “show me your boobies” the whole way because the birds were somewhat hiding behind the sea lion. I hope that during our time here that we will get to see the birds closer up because from our vantage point you could barely see their blue feet. We got back to the boat and prepared ourselves for the long ride back to Santa Cruz. The lunch that they served us was absolutely amazing; I could hardly believe that they prepared it on a boat. Each of us had two prawns, a piece of fish, mashed potatoes, rice, and a piece of chocolate cake. Some of the students couldn’t finish their plates, so the dads – Mr. Blake, Mr. Kamalu, and Uncle Mark – did what dads do best and ate the rest of the food for them. After lunch instead of sprawling out on the front of the boat, we switched it up and layed in the shaded on the back of the boat. We talked for a little while before we all fell asleep again (but this time no one took our picture). I thought that it took longer for us to get back than it did for us to come out, but Shaye and Emily disagreed and thought that coming back was faster than going out. When we got back to the hostel groups A and B where already there. We quickly washed up and got ready to eat on the street again.
today we got up early to get on a boat and head out to bartolome to go diving by the reefs of the island and one thing about the reefs over there is that it is really really nice there are a lot of fishes and the fishes are really big like super big. while we were diving we also saw a sting ray, sharks, baby black tip sharks, and sea lions and just looking and diving by there reefs i would saw that there reefs would put our reefs to sham. and the reason for this i think is because over at galapagos it it all protected and you only can catch so much fish, but here in Hawaii there are some protected areas but the still over fish. But back to the trip it was like a 2 hour 45 mins trip to bartolome and when we got there they talk to us about staying together and about watching your partner because something could happen so they just wanted to make sure that they will be ok. so other then that we got into the water and when i got into the water it was outstanding just to see how much life could be in one area. so we was maybe diving for like an hour just looking at the reefs and just so beautiful and like the type of fishes that we would see would be like the ones on national geographic, so after like a good hour of diving we got back to the boat and head to one of the island to go hike to the top and it took maybe about 30-45 mins but when got there the sight was beautiful cause we could see all of the neighbor island. then after that we got back to the boat and when we first got back on the boat we could smell this satisfying see t of food and i was so happy because when they brought out the food it was fried shrimp, steak, rice, and mash potatoes it was really good. so after we ate we started our two 2 hour and 45 mins journey back to santa crus and on the way back we where all out cold like our teacher said anywhere you could lay down there was a student there, but today was really fun and if i could do it again i would because it was really fun and this day was one to remember. This morning we made the short trek from our hostel to the Charles Darwin Research Center where we greeted by Paula and Alejandra. They gave us a brief introduction to the place and what they do here. We split up into our watches - A and B together, and C and D together. Watches C and D went into the small viewing room and watched a video about conservation efforts being undertaken by individuals working at the research center. Following the video Denise talked to us a little about the costal protection work that she is involved in. It was interesting to hear her speak so highly of mangroves when back home in Hawaiʻi everyone is trying to get rid of them, especially because of the degradation they cause to our loko iʻa or fishponds. She said that in addition to serving as habitat for the mangrove finches, mangroves provide protection for juvenile fish as well. Following our time in the viewing room we went back into the main area and toured the exhibits there. Alejandra reminded us that the reason why everything still looks so nice is because the exhibition hall is only 9 months old. It was fun seeing some of my classmates and teachers try to climb into the tortoise shell for pictures. While in that area Alejandra told us that after Lonesome George's death four years ago, his species of Pinta Giant Tortoises has become extinct. When I think of extinction the first thing that comes to my mind are dinosaurs, but then I think a little harder and realize that extinction is imminent all around us. We have so many birds and plants back home in Hawaiʻi that if not for a number of conservancies would be extinct both in the wild and in research centers. The same situation is going on here in the Galapagos. If not for the CDRS, I'm not sure there would be many tortoises freely roaming the islands.
Once both groups had watched the short movie and toured the exhibition hall we all went outside on the lānai. What interested me the most outside was what they were doing to help assist the plants in growing. Denise said that the technology that they are using is called "Groasis." It is either a multi-use plastic container or a compostable cardboard one that has ridges in the top to direct water down to a catchment tank. From there drip irrigation makes sure that the water that is there is used as efficiently as it can be. This technology reminded me much of what we did in Kahoʻolawe. From Maui we brought broken plates from hotels with us to the island. After all the outplantings we did, we placed the plates around the plants kind of like the top of the the "Groasis" box so that the water could be channeled to the struggling little native plants. The whole time that we were there Alejandra kept mentioning how unlike Hawaiʻi, the Galapagos is still trying to find its culture. To her or really any outsider, it may seem like Hawaiʻi has it all together, but from the inside ask any kanaka and they can tell you where we came from, but not where we are going. At the moment, we are searching just like the people of the Galapagos. At one point in time we had a vibrant, rich culture, but for a plethora of understandable reasons, we've turned away from it. Today, we are on the search again. Me ke aloha,
Kiana Davis today we went to the chapels darwin research center in galapagos and they had some very nice facilities like most of there buildings where brand new, and the exhibits that they had on display for us was awesome. they were talking to us about how the flyʻs in the galapagos go into the finches nest and leave larva and then the baby birds end up eating them and end up dying. but they were talking to us and telling us that they have a solution that could put an end to the deaths of the birds. then after that we went back by the hotel where there was a pizza place and we had chicken noodle soup, then after that we headed back to the research center to be apart of a meeting about the darwin finches and that meeting was very hard because it was mostly in Spanish. and after that we went to a beach by the research center and we were diving just looking at the reefs to just see what they had.
Instead of swimming out to meet her we took a water taxi. Once aboard, all of the students from Halau Kū Mana, Kamehameha, and Castle chanted Ia Waʻa Nui. Kumu Noe explained to us that our task for the day was to move the lowered boom to the catwalk and re-raise the spar because they want to change out the sails before the next crew heads towards Rapa Nui. For many of the legs of the Worldwide Voyage Hōkūleʻa sailed with a crab claw shaped sail, but unlike many other sailing vessels she is able to sail with a regular triangle sail too. Noe's reasoning for changing the sails was that it is generally easier to sail with a triangle sail.
Towards the end of our time on the waʻa I asked Uncle Nainoa about if and when we may have a traditional double-hull voyaging canoe made out of 100% native Hawaiian resources. We have Hawaiʻiloa, but her hulls are made from spruce trees harvested in Alaska and synthetic cordage are used in place of olonā because resources just weren't available. I brought up the fact that in the past ten years KS has organized a number of opportunities for students and faculty members to go and plant koa seedlings up at Keawewai on Hawaiʻi Island. Uncle Nainoa informed me that the person who actually initiated this koa planting innitiative was his dad, Myron "Pinky" Thompson, when he was a trustee for Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate.
today we arrived at the galapagos and it is pretty cool because it has a lot of green and a lot of animal life all over the place. this island has a lot of animals just on the way to the hotel i saw a lot of animals, and also the language that they have is pretty cool because like they talk real fast. but my view totally changed when we first landed on the island because the way people was making it sound like we were staying in grass shacks. but the homes on the island are some what like the ones back home so it is very similar, and the hotel that we were staying at was very nice and comfortable like it wasn't the 5 star hotel but it wasn't the worst either. but the best part on the first day was that when we got to the hotel we heard that we could go on the Hokuleaa so we dropped off our things in the hotel and headed out to Hokuleaa, it was pretty cool because i got to help work on the Hokuleaa with the crew members. but overall today was a very cool day after all of the traveling that we did.
We were told to arrive at Honolulu International Airport in front of the United Airlines check-in around 5:00 pm on Friday, January 27. My the over precautions parents made sure that I was there a half an hour before that. I think that they were more nervous than I was about the whole trip, especially because this would be the first time that I would be flying anywhere without them. While my mom paced back and forth across the sidewalk drilling me about only drinking bottled water and never traveling anywhere without the group, I sat next to my dad quietly. As more of my peers arrived, we began saying our goodbyes. My dad helped me lift my bag onto the agriculture check conveyor belt and gave me one last hug. As he pulled away he looked me in the eye and said, "I'm proud of you. I know you'll represent our family and Hawaiʻi well." Being a man of such few word, this meant a lot; it's like I finally had his stamp approval. Slowly, as all of the parents began to leave we made our way to the check-in counters. A not so friendly ticketing agent rushed me through the process of acquiring all three of my boarding passes and luggage claim ticket. Luckily, I was one of three people in the group to get TSA Pre-Check, meaning that I could skip the regular long TSA line and go in a line where I wouldn't need to take off my shoes (which honestly didn't really matter because I wore slippers anyways). Unlike everyone else who didn't get TSA Pre-Check, I didn't feel the need to run to Starbucks to grab a snack and water because I had been spared so much time. By the time that I got to our gate they were still loading passengers in group 2 and I was in group 4. Sierra was nice enough to switch seats with me so that I could have an aisle seat. I took off my slippers, put on my fuzzy socks, and took a NyQuil. I don't even remember falling asleep. When I woke up it was 2:15 am Hawaiʻi time or 6:15 am Houston time. I had a nice and refreshing six hour nap. The stewardess came around to do one more drink service before landing. Before they were able to pick up all of our cups the pilot told them all to go to their jump seats as turbulence was imminent. I was surprised when Sierra said that it had been like this for a good portion of the flight because I couldn't feel anything. Because we were scattered all over the plane we waited till we got off to meet up. I was shocked when Mr. Kamalu said that we were going to a hotel and not waiting at the airport for eight hours before our next connecting flight. While waiting outside for the shuttle Mr. Blake said that Jonah's dad had gotten us a couple of rooms at the Marriot Springhill Suites. After checking in we dropped off all of our carry ons in the rooms and headed straight back downstairs for breakfast; the make your own Texas shaped waffles were my favorite. We then headed back up to the rooms to shower in warm fresh water for the last time, tried to do some homework, but really just ended up taking a nap. Around 2:00 pm we all met downstairs in the lobby and got shuttled back to Houston Intercontinental Airport. Mr. Kamalu teased us about wearing jackets at school, when this is what jackets were made for, 47° fahrenheit weather Me ke aloha,
Kiana Davis on January 27 2017 we left honolulu at 7:50 and we arrived here in Houston Texas around 7:00 then we headed over to the spring hill hotel and are just catching up on rest, eating, staying fresh until we leave later today. so far it is 49 degrees and we are 4 hours ahead of Hawaiʻi, the flight here wasn't so bad it was pretty good so far but the airport is pretty big and when we was outside waiting it was cold. then from the airport we went to and are staying till two here then going back to the airport to go to equadore, and until then i see you guys later.
The papering for this trip was quite a new experience because on all of the other trips that I went on I didn't need things such as a passport or much requirements to go. However, I am really excited about going on this trip because we are going to do many things that relate to the environment. The Hokuleaʻa will also be going to the Galapagos so we will meet them there. Just the fact that I got picked to go is very exciting because I never had an opportunity like this before and I know that it will be a trip to remember forever. I am also very interested in doing environmental and marine type of studies; thats what I would like to go into for my career. Just over all i am very very ready and excited for this trip and i am thankful for Mr. Blake for choosing me to attend and be apart of this trip.
We began talking about the possibility of going down to meet Hōkūleʻa in the Galapagos at the beginning of the school year. With each each Saturday meeting it became more and more real. However, I still have a hard time grasping the idea that tomorrow night at 7:50 pm we will boarding a plane to take us to Houston, TX, the first stop on our way to the Galapagos. I don't think that it will really sink in for me until my feet reach the island. If it was not for this amazing opportunity, I'm not sure that I would ever go to such a place as this. There are so many things to worry about, like how many days of school we'll be missing, but as soon as we get on the plane, I know that there will be nothing I can do but let go.
I think what I am most excited about is to learn about how the people there are dealing with sust(ʻāina)bility issues pertinent to them. At out last Saturday meeting we found out that Sam ʻOhu Gon with The Nature Conservancy will be accompanying us there. I'm not gonna lie, I may have fangirled a little. I am excited to learn from him and the Galapagos locals alike about what is being done by island peoples to mitigate invasive species destruction as well as deal with sea level rise. Although the Galapagos is over 4,500 miles away from Hawaiʻi, I am almost certain that we deal with many of the same issues. I want to be able to take what I learn here and apply it back home in Hawaiʻi. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that Hōkūleʻa is finally back in the Pacific. I think back to the summer of 2014 when my ʻohana and I went to Palekai to see her off. It was sad seeing a piece of Hawaiʻi leave us for so long, but at the same time exciting because of the message that she would be sharing with the world - Mālama Honua. I am grateful to be able to see her once more before she returns home in June and do my part to help spread her message across the seas. Me ke aloha, Kiana Davis |
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