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June 25, 2022
Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Hawaii Arrival —First Day
May 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Hello! We arrived this afternoon in Honolulu, HI where my class and I will be spending the next 2 1/2 weeks! We arrived at our Vista, met and go to know our classmates and professor, and then headed to the Highway Inn to meet out onsite coordinator, Loretta!
A couple of things that I noticed today regarding environmental science was while we were on our way from the airport to the Vista and then while we were buying our breakfast groceries/lunches at Target. On our bus ride to the Vista, I noticed many homes and buildings that had solar panels on their roofs--a more sustainable way to conduct electricity and power within their homes and businesses. At target, we ran into the "issue" of bagging our items. Target, along with many other corporations/stores/businesses (as we would come to notice more and more), don't use plastic bags. Instead, you can carry your items, bring reusable bags, or purchase reusable bags at checkout. Although it seemed like a roadblock in our "shopping experience" at first, it came to be one of my favorite things that Hawaii does to be more sustainable.Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Diamond Head Hike & Asian Farmers Market
May 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 24 °C
Today, we started our morning off by a short bus ride to Diamond Head Summit Trail to hike with our classmates and professor! After the hike, we attended a local Asian Farmer's Market that is only held on Saturdays!
The Diamond Head Monument is comprised of 475 acres of land that include the interior and outside slopes of the crater. This crater was formed almost 300,000 years ago during an explosive reaction. The trail into the crater and to the top of Diamond head was built in 1908 and is a .8 mile hike from the trailhead to the summit.
Diamond Head is one of Hawaii's most iconic geological features that this state has to offer! The purpose of this monument is diversify and improve the experiences of visitors, community organizations, and the general public. The goal that the DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) has for Diamond Head is to increase public awareness on improvements around the crater along with gathering input on access in and around the crater.
At the Asian Farmers Market, there were many small "acts" that showed us how this state is improving on how sustainable they are. These farmers and small businesses practice things such as not using plastics, growing their own produce and then selling it. On our end, we are also supporting these sustainable ways by buying local and supporting green businesses.Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Pearl Harbor
May 29, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Today we traveled to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial where we visited an exhibit on the attack on Pearl Harbor, a video showing, and rode out to experience the Memorial of the USS Arizona.
Here, we learned about one of the most pivotal moments in US History: the attack on Pearl Harbor which resulted in the entry of World War ll. This Memorial commemorates the Attack on Pearl Harbor that killed nearly 2,400 Americans and sank 12 US battleships. The USS Arizona (in which we got to see) is the final resting place of 900 sailors and marines and continues to be for veterans of World War ll if they so wish.
As we visited the day before Memorial Day, I thought this was a very fitting "activity" and sight to experience to celebrate this day and to thank those that fought for our country and our freedom. It is something I will never forget.Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Waimea Falls & Nu’uanu Pali Lookout
May 30, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Today we traveled to Waimea Bay, Falls, and Beach and even stopped at a small market on the way home for some fresh goodies! On the way to the North Shore, our shuttle driver, Big Tony, made a quick stop for us Nu'uanu Pali Lookout! This lookout was especially interesting because the gloomy mountains are home to many of our favorite Hollywood movies and TV Shows such as Catching Fire, King Kong, and Jurassic Park!
On our way to Waimea, Big Tony told us many stories of their leaders (Kings, Queens and Princesses) and how they came to gain and/or earn their power within the Hawaiian islands--people such as King Kamehameha and Princess Liliuokalani. This was one of my favorite parts of this day--with such a long day, Big Tony really made us feel important and like we were more than just a tour to him.
In Waimea Valley, we got to experience many fun activities such as the hike to the waterfall, swimming in the waterfall, and going to Waimea beach to swim and cliff jump!
During the hike (and on our way to the waterfall) there were little huts that we could stop at! One of the huts had a woman that was teaching us about Kapa. We discussed how they made fabric for blankets and clothing out of trees, how long it took, and the amount of effort and patience you need to have to made something like this. We also discussed the topic of women’s menstrual cycles and how sacred it is in their culture. They used the Kapa to replicate a pad. During the women’s menstrual cycle, they had their own huts to go to and “relax”. After their cycle was over, they buried the soiled Kapa in honor of their cycle. It is looked at as sacred, as it gives birth and shows strength. I thought this was so beautiful and so empowering as in our culture, it is seen as gross and dirty. It was a very eye opening discussion and I really enjoyed getting to know more about their values and beliefs!Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Pae Pae o He’eia & Taro Harvesting
May 31, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Our trip to Pae Pae o He'eia and Taro Harvesting was one of my favorite days as it was a very culturally enriching experience!
At Pae Pae o He'eia, we got a tour of the fishpond along with many tales and stories of spirituality from our tour guide. The fishpond was built/created 800 years ago and is about 88 acres in total spanning 1.3 miles around the pond. The water in the pond is separated, letting in 1/2 freshwater and 1/2 salt water. Their current goal is restoration as they are trying to maintain the pond to keep old traditions alive, along with making their fish trusting and comfortable in the pond. Education has also become a new goal of theirs. The goal consists of knowledge from the elders by tours and through community work days in order for others to understand how the pond functions. They are really trying to build a community rather than just a fishpond--starting with investing in their community. Ceremonies and offerings are also held here for their fishpond guides in order to keep their message alive, which they believe in return will help keep their fish alive and flourishing. Keeping their guides alive and in their hearts will keep their pond alive.
At the Taro Plantation, we got to try our hand at harvesting Taro with the workers. We had eaten Taro our first night at Hawaii and noticed that Taro was infused into lots of other products such as smoothies, so it was interesting to see and actual Taro plant and where this "flavor" comes from. We dug up the plants with our feet and hands in the mud, pulled off the roots, and gave them to the other workers to be cleaned and cut up.Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Reserve
June 2, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Today we visited the Pu'u Wa'awa'a Forest Reserve in Kona! This Forest Reserve is home to a diverse dry and wet climate. It is also home to many exotic, endangered and rare plants. It is about a 7 mile hike round trip with many beautiful views! On our hike, we saw many interesting plants, along with some cattle and goats!Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Rainbow Falls and Cacao Farm
June 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Today we had a short visit to Rainbow Falls in Hilo, along with a tour of a cacao farm and Hawaiian Crown chocolates!
Our trip to Rainbow Falls was short as there is no hiking or swimming due to its connection to many strong rivers. But as you can see in the photos, it’s beautiful!!
We then headed down the road to a local cacao farm! It was super cool to see up close, the process of how one of my favorite things is made—CHOCOLATE! We even got to try the pod of the cacao seed which was surprisingly yummy! Not only did this cacao farmer grow cacao plants/trees but many others on his property as well, such as breadfruit, bananas, avacados, and a few others. After a short tour of what the farm looked like, we headed into downtown Hilo for a tour of where the chocolate is made and sold. We got to try roasted cacao seeds and then what it tastes like as both dark and milk chocolate. We got to purchase some things of our choosing and I loved all of it! I really enjoy supporting smaller businesses like these.Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Greenwell Farms: Kona Coffee
June 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Today, along with many other things, we traveled to a Kona Coffee Farm before heading to Hilo—Greenwell Farms!
At Greenwell Farms we started off with some samples of the coffee that is made on the farm— very strong and rich! We then set off on our tour. Our tour guide gave us the history behind Greenwell Farms, a tour of the property, and information about some of the plants and trees that the farm hosts.
Greenwell farms began in 1850 when Henry Nicholas Greenwell left England in hopes of finding his forever home in Hawaii. Henry and his wife Elizabeth would begin their journey in making and selling their coffee for the next 40 years. Greenwell Coffee hit the world plantform and became very well-known around 1873 when it was recognized at the World Fair in Vienna, Austria. The legacy of Greenwell Coffee has continued by Norman Greenwell (his great grandson) who developed coffee on Henry’s original land in the 1980s.
Today, the coffee continues to be 100% Kona coffee as it is grown and made all on the same land and some of the trees that were planted by Elizabeth Greenwell (the wife of Henry) still produce coffee beans at 100 years old.
Not only is there production of coffee beans at Greenwell farms but some fresh produce as well—such as avocados, bananas, macadamia nuts, pineapple, and a few others.
You could really feel the family aspect that Greenwell farms hold—from their original ways of producing coffee to the passion that each of the workers have to keep tradition alive, it was a truly heartwarming experience.Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Volcano National Park
June 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
To finish off our long day of touring Hilo, we visited Volcanos National Park! This was one of the coolest things I have ever seen! It was rainy all day so our shuttle driver Ellen didn’t get to bring us everywhere at the Park that she wanted to, but we still saw so many amazing sights! After arriving, we headed to the Lava Tube, which looked like a mini cave! It was damp and cool, so different roots and plants were growing from the ceiling which I found to be very interesting! We then took a couple of stops throughout the park where all you could see with the naked eye was lava rock on top of what used to be trees and other vegetation. One thing that I found interesting was the Ōhi’a Lehua trees that grew out of the rock—Ellen told us the love story behind this tree which gave it even more beauty! Lastly, at dark, we walked about a mile to where you can see some active lava flow! There were so many people there trying to take in the same sights but when we got up close, I couldn’t take my eyes off either! It was super cool to see something like this, that not many people get to see in their lifetime. Although it was a very rainy and dreary day, we ended it with singing oldies in the car, on the way back to the hotel and it ended up to be one of my favorite days!Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
'lmiloa Astronomy Center
June 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Today we visited the ‘lmiloa Astronomy Center where we had a short tour of the gardens (due to rain), walked through different exhibits surrounding space, and watched a video about black holes and about our constellations/stars.
During the Garden tour, we we reintroduced to some Native Hawaiian Plants and also introduced to some new ones! Some of these consist of the Plumeria Plant, Banana “Tree”, Koa, Banyan Tree, Noni Tree, Royal Poinciana Tree, and many others!Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Office of Climate Change
June 7, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Today we visited the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency in downtown Honolulu! This was one of my favorite days due to the topics we discussed and the information that I retained!
We learned about the different call to actions Oahu has regarding sustainability. These include Green City Operations, reduction of climate emissions, coordination with federal and state agencies, promoting resilient communities, ensuring sustainable city plans and policies, and facilitating climate change commissions.
One of the biggest things I took away from this was how much warming is happening on Oahu due to pollution: 110 million tons of warming pollution goes into the atmosphere every 24 hours!!
We then discussed the different ways in which they plan to implement change. These things can include..
- Climate Action Plan
- New Codes and Design Guidelines
-Transparency and Disclosure
- Climate Adaption Strategy
- Updated Shoreline Management
- Beach Preservation
- Urban Heat Mitigation
- Flooding and Stormwater Solutions
They also gave us some ways in which we can practice sustainability along with the people that live on the island such as making a disaster plan, reducing waste and plastic use, buying local, growing foods, take public transportation/walk/bike, plant and/or care for trees, volunteer, and spread knowledge!
It’s crazy to think that such small ways like these listed will preserve and make sustainable the place in which we live. These small acts can have such a big impact and I’m super thankful I am better informed on what I can do not just in Hawaii but on the mainland in order to become more sustainable!Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Department of Environmental Services
June 8, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Today was a busy busy day learning about waste and energy! We visited the RRR Recycling, H Power Waste to energy facility, Waimamalo Gulch landfill, and the Hawaiian Earth Recycling green waste facility on the island of Oahu!
We learned many thing about their “trash” and what they do with it to be sustainable! Such as paper products—they send these to other countries where it is soaked, stirred, made into mush, and then dried to become different forms of paper again!
We discussed the importance of their energy sources and what it will take to be a state that has 100% renewable energy sources—their first steps are to close their coal power plants, which I think is a great start!
Another important thing we discussed was compost and green waste—by making things such as outdoor waste into mulch!
This was a really fun day, being able to experience and see for ourselves how much trash and garbage Honolulu “makes” with the high commercialization and tourism that they have since a lot of their garbage comes from hotels and tourists coming and going.Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Polynesian Cultural Center
June 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Today, which is technically our last full day on the island, we had a full day planned as we traveled to the North Shore, to the Polynesian Cultural Center! On the way to the Cultural Center, we made a few stops..
First, we stopped for an early lunch on the side of the road where the money that they raised selling traditional Hawaiian dishes, went towards scholarships for students! We then continued on the coast where we made a couple of stops at different lookouts—at one of the lookouts we even saw a sea turtle in the water. When we hit the North Shore, we stopped at the Mormon Church to grasp a little from their religion as it ties into the Cultural Center, in the sense that the Mormon Church owns the Polynesian Cultural Center. The Church was absolutely beautiful and nothing like I had ever pictured it to look like. It was interesting to see how closely related it is to Christianity regarding the Bible, gospel, and the overall belief in Jesus Christ, but their practices are so different at the same time.
After arriving to the Polynesian Cultural Center, we ventured off to check out each of the Polynesian Islands and to see what they would have in store for us. In Samoa, we learned how to make a toy fish out of a leaf from a coconut tree, watched men climb a coconut tree with his bare feet, and took in some dancing! In Tahiti, we got to try coconut bread, threw spears at coconuts, learned how to dance, and even tried fishing. Then, in Tonga, we took in a show where we learned how to dance and got a little humor from the audience & performers. In Fiji, we got temporary tribal tattoos and toured replicas of houses in Fiji. In Aotearoa, we learned how to weave a basket from leaves, and watched and learned about more cooking styles over the fire! Lastly, in Hawaii, we took in hula dancing and lauhala weaving. After making our way through all of the islands, it was time to meet up for dinner and the Breath of Life performance. Our dinner was amazing, it had so many options from comfort food, to everything seafood, to a desert bar, and it even had live music! When dinner was over, it was time for the Breath of Life performance which is put on by all of the students from around the world (on the different Polynesian Islands). The Breath of Life performance is a symbolic story of Mana and Lani that is shown through Polynesian dance, music, and fire. It was a show, showcasing birth and death, love, family, tragedy, and triumph. It was truly amazing to watch. After the show was over, we even got to go on stage and meet/take photos with some of the performers. This was one of my favorite days—learning more about all of the Polynesian Islands while spending time with my new friends/classmates!Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
King Kamehameha Celebration
June 11, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
On our last day on the Island, we took in a Hawaiian celebration, celebrating King Kamehameha! We attended the parade and got to see it from start to finish which was super cool! We saw Hawaiian “soldiers” at the beginning, live music, the Princesses of each of the Islands, bands, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and even a band from Wisconsin! It was really fun to see the culture come alive and to see so many people come together to celebrate this special day!
After the parade, we headed over to Kapi’olani Park to take in some live music, food, and a mini farmers market before heading to the airport to go home!Read more
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Hawaii Study Away Maddie Matthys
Reflection On My Time
June 18, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
I fell in love in Hawaii. I fell I love with nature, with knowledge, and I fell in love with life. I had many passions in life before coming on this study away trip but I realized that I can do so much better than being passionate about “being a good person” or passionate about school. Hawaii made he realize that I am capable of so much more than I think. I realized that I can make a difference if I choose to. I also realized that in order to make a difference (especially regarding sustainability), I can’t do it alone. Leading by example and showing others is when the true difference is made.Read more
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