INSIDE THIS ISSUE!
WHAT MAKES HIGH SCHOOL HIKERS FUN! * PLAYING HARD AT ECOLOGY CAMP *
H.S.T.P. SUMMER NEIGHBOR ISLAND SERVICE TRIPS * FREE TRIP OFFER!!!!!!

by Bob Keane, Chairperson

This year’s ecology camp was chaired by Alicia Rogan, advisor at Castle High School, and Jamie Tanino, Sierra Club Hike Leader. Jamie is an alumnus of High School Hikers and was trained and mentored by Marc Morinaga (long time High School Hiker Leader).

We stayed at Camp Kokokahi in Kaneohe this year and arrived there about 9:00 AM on Saturday Feb 15, 2003. After registration and orientation, we took the students to Windward Community College to take part in their Imaginarium Program. This is a NASA sponsored Aerospace Exploration Lab that includes a resource library, exhibit area, hands-on Exploratorium and a Planetarium show.

A cultural program focusing on Native Hawaiian Issues followed dinner and the remainder of the evening was spent exploring the reef or enjoying a campfire. Speakers for the evening program included Chuck Burrows (retired Hui Lama Advisor), Nathan Nishimura (current Hui Lama Advisor), Jeff Mikulina (Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter Director) and Jackson Bauer (High School Hikers alumni). Chuck and Nate gave students an overview of Sunday’s service projects at Kawai Nui Marsh and the He’eia fish Pond. Jeff presented a power point presentation of some of the key environmental issues facing Hawaii today and Jackson presented his award winning video on Koho’olawe and its relationship to the modern Hawaiian sovereignty movement.

On Sunday students selected from various service/learning projects. Doc Burrows provided students with a tour of Kawai Nui Marsh and then they participated in a habitat restoration project on one of the islets in the marsh. A second group worked on clearing a taro loi located near a heiau.

Nathan Nishimura introduced a third group of students to the old Hawaiian method of aquaculture. Students had an opportunity to help in the restoration of an ancient fishpond while learning about its operation from experienced guides. These students then participated in an interpretive hike to the Peace Garden located near the camp. Former High School Hiker, Jamie Tanino, led this hike.

An evening social was held on Sunday night followed by the traditional campfire. Here students and adults had a chance to reflect and share experiences from the past two days. Monday morning gave the students an opportunity to provide us with feedback on the various parts of the camp. Here they had an opportunity to share with the group how they felt about our coastal resources and man’s impact on his environment.

by Randy Compton

Depending on the person and their experiences, the word "camping" makes one think of leaky tents, mosquitoes, rain, mud, cold, smoke, bad food, dirty or no bathrooms, and a good time with friends. Luckily, thanks to the cooperation and respect of everyone, the word "camping" etched fond memories in mind.

Activities at camp were well balanced in the sense that students were not overloaded by being forced to keep busy every minute. Students had time to play, rest, and get themselves in order.

The show at Windward Community College's Imaginarium and the interactive playroom was a rare combination of fun and education. Instead of lecturing and showing students pictures of what Hawaii's ecology and its problems are, the work projects at Kawai Nui Marsh and the He’eia Fishpond provided people hands-on learning which greatly increases retention. The mud of the marsh was "slimy, yet satisfying" and the stick beating at He’eia fishpond gave people a chance to show off their Tahitian drum skills and channel out any frustration one might have had.

by Bob Keane, Chairperson

We were able to put together a somewhat modified spring trip to Kauai. We had initially planned for a group of 25 but one principal cancelled the trip because of the war and we only had 17 participants remaining in the group. We stayed at Camp Sloggett up at Koke’e State Park. The trip consisted of a mix of exploration and service/learning projects. We started off with a tour of the Koke’e overlooks while waiting to check into Camp Sloggett .

After settling in and having dinner, we conducted some team building activities with the students and then went over the schedule for the week. Monday was a service/learning project along the Awaawapuhi trail. We worked with the Koke’e Resource Conservation Program under the direction of Ellen Coulombe. Students cleared ginger from a previously treated area and the adults sprayed the cut shoots with Escort. We followed this with a trip to Polihale Beach Park and a refreshing dip at one of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches.

Tuesday was a long hike to the Kilohana overlook on the far side of the Alakai Swamp. We entered along the Pihea trail and returned along the Alakai swamp trail to Camp 10 road. The overlook was magnificent, but the hike out camp 10 road was exhausting.

Wednesday was holo-holo to Hanalei. We had intended to get out to Haena, but a stop at the cookie factory, the taro chip store and someone’s great grandmother’s slowed us down somewhat. We stopped at Kilauea Point and were greeted by a flock of Nene geese who were wintering there. No whales or seals this time, but it is still a spectacular place to visit. We headed out to Hanalei and after a quick shopping stop, we went to the pier at Hanalei Bay and everyone had a great time jumping off of it.

Thursday was clean up and head home but on the way we stopped at Spouting Horn and Poipu Beach Park. We had planned to visit Maha’ulepu Beach but got side tracked at Poipu by five monk seals. It was just too late to head out to Maha’ulepu so we headed into Lihue and checked in for our flight home. We’ll have to save Maha’ulepu for next time.

WHAT MAKES HIGH SCHOOL HIKERS FUN!

by Kalea Jordan, Castle High School Senior

There were many things that I enjoyed about High School Hikers. My favorite thing was going on hikes twice a month. That was really good because you get exercise, you get to spend time with nature and see many different places on Oahu.

I also like going to Halloween Camp and meeting other students on this island, and spending time with all your friends is always enjoyable. I have always liked the hikes at Halloween Camp and the contest that they have for each school. I also like when we do community service because it's always good to help out the community, and plus you can put it on your resume. And, lastly, even though I did not get a chance to attend Ecology camp, I'm sure that it was a lot of fun for the people that did attend.

I really do not have a lot to say about the things that I disliked about the club. I hope that next year there are more student who join because they're missing out on a lot of fun. It was really a good experience for me to join a club in high school. Overall, I think that this club is great the way it is and keep on going because it's one heck of a club.

Now that I have your attention! This is a FREE TRIP OFFER!
One of our former High School Hiker leaders has offered to pay for one student a FREE Service Trip.
Please ask you advisors for details.

HAWAII SERVICE TRIP PROGRAM (H.S.T.P.) Plan Summer 2003

WANTED! LEADERS, COOKS AND VOLUNTEERS. To work on service trips to Molokai and Maui. Have the adventure of a lifetime! Visit the most beautiful places in the islands very few get to see. And at the same time help to conserve and preserve our precious aina (land). Interested? Have your advisor contact us to find out more.

MAUI: Tentative for Summer 2003

AUWAHI – Work will be weeding around native Hawaiian plants as well as planting more native plants.

WAIKAMOI – Will be doing trail maintenance in this Nature Conservancy Preserve located half-way up Haleakala.

MOLOKAI: KALAUPAPA – Involves painting several historic buildings within the settlement.

NOTE: MUST BE AT LEAST 16 years of age.

OFFICERS 2001 – 2002

CHAIRPERSON: Bob Keane

OUTINGS: John Cummings

VICE-CHAIR: Dick Mills

MEMBERSHIP: Fred Nakaguma

SECRETARY: Pauline Kawamata

NEWSLETTER: Adaline Kam

TREASURER: Jeanette Ellis

WEB SITE: Jim Yuen

SCHOOL ADVISORS and HIKE LEADERS

AIEA:

CAMPBELL: Fred Nakaguma

CASTLE: Alicia Rogan
Marc Morinaga
Nohea Tomas
Jamie Tanino

FARRINGTON: Sandra Nakagawa
Nylen Takahashi
Darryl Nishimoto
John Cummings
Adaline Kam
Gilbert Tagaban

KAMEHAMEHA: Richard Mills
Nathan Nishimura
Chuck Burrows
Sigrid Southworth

KAPOLEI: Naidah Gamirot

LEILEHUA: Jeanette Ellis
Natalie Borrello
Bob Keane

MILILANI: Elaine Mahoney

MOANALUA : Erron Yoshioka
Frank Raymond

WAIALUA: Glenn Lee

WAIPAHU:

EVENT - CHAIRPERSONS

FALL HIKERS WORKSHOP:

HALLOWEEN CAMP:

ECOLOGY CAMP: Alicia Rogan

END-OF-YEAR BANQUET: Pauline Kawamata

HSH NEWS is a publication of High School Hikers, an activity section of Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter. A 4 to 8 page, 8-1/2 x 11" size page format, published 2 to 3 times a year. Please submit articles typed and double spaced with a headline, the writer’s name(s), grade and school. Photos should be clear with photographer’s name, grade, school, location of photo and a return address on back of picture or on a sheet of paper. They will be returned. Send via your school advisor(s). Attn: HSH Editor, Adaline Kam