1. Talent enhancement
Marine biology is an exciting field and one that is highly
connected to native Hawaiian lifestyles. I propose to enhance
students natural interest in this field by illustrating
several examples of ecological principles and connecting
these concepts to important marine problems that exist in
Hawai’i today.
2. Hawaiian culture and values
I will discuss the importance of the ocean and marine life to
the Hawaiian people, past and present, and I will illustrate
several important contributions made by Hawaiians to our
knowledge of marine science
3. Self-esteem
The program will provide them with clearly defined future
goals to pursue in marine biology, such as learning to
identify and name common marine life. In addition, I plan to
promote group discussion so students can contribute what they
know about Hawaiian traditions or uses of marine life.
4. Student and parent support
services
After the course students will be encouraged to teach their
families something about what they have learned in marine
ecology, thereby involving the ‘ohana in their
education, and perhaps fostering the students interest in
marine science as a possible career.
Outline of work plan:
1. Physical marine environment:
discussion of the importance of wave forces, salinity, and
desiccation will be followed by simple measurements to
illustrate how these factors vary along the shore.
2. Intertidal zonation: illustration
of the different zones where marine organisms live and why,
based on the physical factors previously discussed. The
discussion will include:
- Identifying and naming common
marine organisms (English and Hawaiian names)
- Hawaiian uses of common marine
organisms
- Body symmetry and the
influence of wave forces
- Different types of organisms
and how what they eat
- Discussion of organisms, such
as coral, that provide habitat for other
organisms, such as fish
3. Ecological concepts: illustration
of the central tenant of ecology: the role of interactions
among organisms in the community and the interdependency that
results.
4. Human impacts: combination of all
topics above considered in light of human impacts on the
marine environment. The main example will focus on sewage
pollution of groundwater and how that influences coral reefs
and fish abundance. May also discuss modern overfishing and
how the Hawaiian kapu system prevented overfishing.
