Papahānaumokuākea `Ahahui Alaka`i (PAA): 06/13/09

Welcome to the PAA Blog

Papahānaumokuākea 'Ahahui Alaka'i (PAA) is a ten-day experiential leadership program that brings together teachers, business people, policy-makers as well as potential community leaders interested in learning and being inspired by science and traditional knowledge management practices. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument encompasses roughly 140,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean, an area larger than all the country's national parks combined. The area around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is an important safe haven for wildlife such as the threatened green turtle and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. ‘Ahahu‘i refers to society, club or association. Alaka’i is Hawaiian for ambassador or leader. The Hawaiian word /acronym PA‘A means steadfast, learned, determined, strong, to hold, keep, retain.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Introductions: Trevor Atkins

June 8, 2009

E kū i ka māna! Mālama kuleana. E hana ana au i ka ha`awi aku ka `ike i ko`u `opio.

I question my privilege. I stare at the Mahealani moon in the early night sky over Honolulu. Tonight, the moon is a mirror. I can see the eyes of Hawaiians from several generations peering through time. Their eyes transcend time to meet mine on the surface of the moon. They see me, surrounded by this glowing city on this polluted `aina. I do not escape their disgust. Their eyes interrogate:

Why is it me, a haole, and a son of sugar plantation owners, who shall set eyes on Papahanaumokuakea, while my students suffer the pangs of hunger, rape, and loneliness this summer on polluted `aina? Why is it me who is allowed to escape to see the turquoise waters that once formed a lei around these islands before my ancestors arrived? Why is it us that get to gaze as tourists at those old islands when it is us who are still erasing the beauty of the newer ones?

I have no answers. I am going. We are going. It is our kuleana to absorb this experience to the point of saturation and to let our `opio squeeze it all out when we return. We take the `ike, chew it into community stewardship projects, and spit it in their mouths. This is not about me. This is about creating systemic change. E pule au i hiki ia`u.

June 9, 2009

I am humbled and inspired by the first reflections of my fellow PAA participants. They have done so many great things and are doing so many more. I hope their energy rubs off on me and mixes with my creativity and initiative to become transformative for the students and communities of Hawai`i.

When I come home I’d like to build a stronger network between the many stewardship projects happening right now. Conservation work is intimidating and it is imperative that we do not feel alone in our efforts. I pulled weeds all day today and my sweat would have been futile if it were not for the 19 fellow teachers beside me. In that sense, I think the most important thing I can bring home is a more comprehensive awareness of what each of you are doing to move our world in the same direction. 'A'ohe hana nui ke alu 'ia.

2010 Participants

Marion Ano

Hometown – Oahu, Hawaii

Occupation - geospatial processor

You should know – Marion is an intern at NOAA’s Pacific Services Center and considers the ocean to be a great teacher which she is contunually humbled by.

Jennifer Barrett

Hometown – Honolulu, Hawaii

Occupation – Waikiki Coastal Coordinator for U.H. Sea Grant College Program

You should know – – Jen is pursuing a Master of Environmental Management degree, she is passionate about volunteer service, and she spent much of her youth exploring the outdoors as a Girl Scout (which inspired her proposed project to develop a Junior Girl Scout badge!).

Chris Baird

Hometown – grew up on Kauai, now lives in Honolulu on Oahu

Occupation – social studies teacher at a family courts juvenile detention facility

You should know - Chris majored in parks and recreation at Western Washington University, his current main environmental interest is removal of invasive algae from Maunalua Bay on Oahu, and he enjoys paddling, sailing, gardening, playing with his dogs, and spending time with his wife and son.

Al Braun

Hometown – Hilo, Hawaii

Occupation –flight nurse and paramedic with Hawaii Life Flight

You should know - Al was born and raised in Hawaii, he is a former firefighter and US Navy veteran, and as a surfer and hunter has been involved in conservation his entire life.

Randi Brennon

Hometown – island of Hawai’i

Occupation - teaches 7th and 8th graders

You should know - Randi takes her students out of the classroom as much as possible, she works with her husband as a co-teacher, and has both sons as students!

Robin Craig

Hometown - grew up in Long Beach, California, now lives in Tallahassee, Florida

Occupation – Environmental lawyer and law professor

You should know – Robin majored in English, went through the Masters program in Writing About Science at John Hopkins, and spent several years teaching marine biology and island ecology on Catalina Island, where she also met her husband.

George Hanks

Hometown - grew up in Louisiana bayou country, now lives in Houston, Texas

Occupation – justice on the Texas Court of Appeals (soon to be US Magistrate Judge in Houston)

You should know – George is a volunteer marine science educator with the Flower Garden Banks Sanctuary and with the Houston Bar Association’s Lawyers in Public Schools program, he is an avid scuba divers and amateur underwater photographer, and recently ran in the Great Aloha Run on Oahu.

Norbert Larsen

Hometown – grew up in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, now lives on Oahu

Occupation - 4th grade teacher at a public charter school

You should know – Norbert’s past experiences include working as an Education Specialist in Hawaiian Natural History, hosting a public television series on the Islands and Polynesian voyaging, as well as performing with modern dance and ballet companies in Hawaii.

Maya Plass

Hometown - Devon, England

Occupation - marine biologist and founder of Learn to Sea

You should know - Maya enjoys spending time on/in the water with her husband and young daughter, she has a veggie patch, and she is already teaching the children in Devon to pronounce Papahanaumokuakea!

Doug Schmid

Hometown – Long Island, New York

Occupation - Environmental Education Program Director

You should know – Doug started his career in marine research before moving into education, he has led student and teacher field study programs across the US and South America, and he enjoys kayaking and diving in his free time.

Hugh Story

Hometown – grew up in Virginia Beach, now lives on Oahu

Occupation – part-time Global Studies teacher with the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council

You should know - Hugh also works at the Hawaii Coffee Company, is a former Peace Corp volunteer in Kazakhstan, and recently completed his MBA with University of Hawaii.

Sarah Wilson

Hometown – grew up in San Diego County, California, now lives in Washington DC

Occupation – Ocean Education Manager at the National Geographic Society

You should know - Sarah has an MA in Science Education from San Diego State University, she has worked as a Naturalist on ships all over the world, and actually spent 6 months working on a vessel in Hawaii teaching marine science and snorkeling to Hawaiian school children.

Facilitators

Linda Schubert

Hometown – Originally from Chicago, now lives in Volcano, Hawaii

Occupation – Manager of NOAA’s Mokupapapa Discovery Center

You should know – Linda has a BS in Communications and Sociology; she has worked in museum education for approximately 20 years, with breaks for running a theater company and working for the National Park Service; and she lives in the rain forest with her husband and enjoys dancing hula, hiking and loves to cook.

Dani Carter

Hometown – Originally from Maine, now lives in Kailua, Hawaii

Occupation – Monument Permit Coordinator for the State of Hawaii

You should know – Dani holds a M.S. in Marine Resource Management; considers the time spent conducting hydrographic surveys in Alaska among her favorite jobs; and enjoys hiking, crafting, and playing at the beach with her husband and dog.

Tracy Ammerman

Hometown – originally from northeastern Pennsylvania, now living on Midway Atoll

Occupation – Visitor Services Manager at Midway Atoll for the US Fish and Wildlife Service

You should know – Tracy holds a B.S. in Biology – Marine Science emphasis and an M.S. in Resource Interpretation; she spent 18 years with the National Park Service as a supervisory park ranger (at Assateague Island National Seashore, Cape Cod National Seashore, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve); and her personal interests include birding, wildlife observation, photography, biking, and snorkeling, as well as mountain biking and down-hill skiing (which she doesn’t get to do much of at her current location!).

Naia Watson

Hometown – Maunalua on the island of Oahu

Occupation –

You should know –

Papahānaumokuākea `Ahahui Alaka`i (PAA)

Welcome to the PAA Blog

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Introductions: Trevor Atkins

Helping one albatross at a time

2010 Participants

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