ʻĀina-Based Learning & Social Justice: A Hands-On Workshop Series for Elementary Educators
Dates: Saturday, September 9, 2023; Saturday, November 18, 2023; Saturday, February 10, 2024; Saturday, April 6, 2024
Times: Vary by date, please see below
Cost: $100 per session
In this 4-part workshop series, educators will learn and practice techniques that employ ʻāina-based learning to promote social justice education in ways that are engaging, relevant, and developmentally appropriate for elementary-aged keiki. The first session will serve as an introduction to theories and practices for using culturally-grounded, place-based experiences to facilitate research, discussion, and action around social justice issues that impact students and their communities. In each of the following three sessions, participants will visit sites around Oʻahu to learn from ʻāina-based educators who are facilitating this learning in their places. Following the ʻōlelo noʻeau, “huli ka lima i lalo”, participants will get down and dirty with hands-on, outdoor experiences. Participants should expect to collaborate, participate, and connect to create place-based lessons and activities that engage students in civic responsibility that supports a sustainable, just future for Hawaiʻi!
Session 1: Saturday, September 9, 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center
1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96822In this classroom-centered session, learn why place-based, culturally-influenced outdoor education experiences should be a part of every curriculum. Explore how these experiences are inspirational springboards for deeper and more authentic learning, and how they engage learners in exploring issues of social justice.
Session 2: Saturday, November 18, 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm
Luluku (Kaneohe) Site: `Āina Aloha o Nā Lima Hana
In this site-based session, participants will connect with the ʻili ʻāina of Luluku in Kaneʻohe, learning about the agricultural history and significance of this place with the ʻohana of ʻĀina Aloha o Nā Lima Hana. Participants will also learn how this place has been impacted by development projects like the H-3, and what is being done to feed this place and its people through restorative practices like hands-on ʻāina work. This workshop is part of a 4-part series focused on teaching about social justice issues through ʻāina-based learning. However, this site-based session is open to anyone, with a specific invitation to educators that serve students in Kaneʻohe.
Session 3: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 8:30am-3:30pm
`Ewa Sites: Moanalua Valley & Loko Iʻa Pāʻaiau
In this site-based session, participants will connect with two wahi pana in the ʻEwa area, Moanalua Valley and Loki Iʻa Pāʻaiau, and learn about the history and cultural significance of these wahi. As this workshop is part of an ʻāina-based learning for social justice series, participants will also learn about how these wahi have been impacted by colonization, development, and other land use policies and practices. This site-based workshop is open to anyone, with a specific invitation to educators that serve students in the moku of ‘Ewa and in the communities surrounding Moanalua Valley.
8:30am-11:30am: Moanalua Valley w/Moanalua Gardens Foundation, at Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park, located at 1857 Ala Aolani Street, Honolulu, HI 96819. Participants will learn about the history and cultural significance of Kamananui valley through ʻāina based activities and learn how students and communities can apply their experiences to their own communities!
12:30-3:30pm: Loko I‘a Pā‘aiau, located at 122-184 McGrew Loop, Aiea, HI 96701. Participants will “huli ka lima i lalo” with the kahu of this wahi to learn about and connect with this loko iʻa (fishpond) at the east end of Puʻuloa. We will hear moʻolelo, learn about the structure and maintenance of loko iʻa, and see community-led restoration work in action!
Session 4: Saturday, April 6, 2024, 9:00am-3:30pm
Wahiawa Sites: Kūkaniloko Birth Site & Kāʻonohi w/Hoʻōla Hou iā Kalauao
In this site-based session, participants will learn about the wahi pana of Kūkaniloko and visit the urban loʻi, Kāʻonohi, in the ahupuaʻa of Kalauao in ʻAiea. As this workshop is part of an ʻāina-based learning for social justice series, participants will also learn about how these wahi have been impacted by colonization, military occupation, and other development-related and use policies and practices, as well as how communities are continuing to protect and mālama them. This site-based workshop is open to anyone, with a specific invitation to educators that serve students in the Wahiawa & Aiea/Pearl City communities.
9am-11am: Kūkaniloko Birth Site, located at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Whitmore Ave. in Wahiawa, HI 96786 (specific directions about parking will be shared with registered participants prior to the workshop). The Hawaiian Civic Club of Wahiawa shares their 50-year place based educational program onsite in their Outdoor Classroom. Participants will learn about Wahi Kapu O Kūkaniloko through moʻolelo - traditional comprehension - and connect to the piko of Oʻahu.
12:30pm-3:30pm: Kāʻonohi w/Hoʻōla Hou iā Kalauao, meeting at Pearlridge Center Makai Parking Lot (near the old Sears). Participants will “huli ka lima i lalo” in the urban loʻi, Kāʻonohi, in the ahupuaʻa of Kalauao in ʻEwa. We will learn from the kahu of this wahi pana, and experience firsthand how both students and communities can learn from, and help support the perpetuation of this place.
Drawing upon Bella Finau-Faumuina’s years of practice in the field, along with the scholarship and research of Jessica Sobocinski, this workshop series promises to delve into best practices for social justice education informed by Hawaiian culture and value-informed frameworks. K-6 classroom and garden teachers, as well as community educators who serve elementary-aged keiki will find this workshop series most applicable. While it is encouraged that teachers commit to all four workshops, site-based workshops are available as stand-alone experiences for elementary educators from those communities.
This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, AFRI Professional Development for Agriculture Literacy (PDAL), award #2023-67037-39950, and Center for Getting Things Started.
About the Facilitators:
Jess Sobocinski has been involved with school gardens and farm to school education in Hawaiʻi for a decade, serving as an educator, curriculum creator, and program administrator. She is passionate about culturally-responsive, place-based food and agriculture education, and its role in nurturing resilient children and communities. Jess holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Indiana University and a M.Ed. from UH Mānoa. Jess currently resides on a 24-acre forest in Paʻauilo and teaches 1st grade at Honokaʻa Elementary.
Bella Finau-Faumuina is from the ahupuaʻa of Kalihilihiolaumiha and the ʻili ʻāina of Mokauea, Oʻahuʻs last fishing village. She is an advocate/educator, who is dedicated to implementing Hawaiian culture, history, and practices into public schools across Hawaiʻis pae ʻāina. She currently serves as a resource teacher on the windward side of Oʻahu, on behalf of Compassionate Koʻolaupoko, providing support to schools and teachers around culturally relevant, trauma-responsive practices.