9-13-13 humanities sustainability curriculum

How did exploring the issue of food security affect you (surprise? anger? interest?)? What impact do you think our year-long project could have on the community? How did the lo’i field trip teach you sustainability?

When we researched the food security in humanities, it surprised me very much. I didn't know that hawaii was in such bad shape. For example, if hawaii was cut off from the mainland, we would only survive for about 5 day with the amount of food that is on the island right now. This scared me a lot, because hawaii being cut off from the mainland is a very realistic possibility. This research led us into another discussion: sustainability on the islands. For hundreds of years the hawaiians thrived on just what they had on the island. they had no contact with the mainland, and had no ships ever find them. They were one of the most sustainable civilization in history. But look at us now! An estimated 90% of all of the food we eat is imported. This means that there is not much local farming on any of the islands.

When we first started the year off, I didn't think that sustainability would help us as students learn anything. But, I was very wrong. The topic drew me in immediately. when i learned how dependent the state was on the mainland, and how much food was imported, it made me really angry. It also made me change the way I looked at everything. My family has also been involved in the topic. we now take advantage of the farmers markets and open market. Even if the items are a little more expensive than the other larger companies, it help the island keep its money. I think that as a state we need to promote local produce more than imported products. Its not really the peoples fault though. As for everything that is screwed up in this state, it is politics that killed our independence from the mainland. Instead of staying our own great original selves, politics forces us to follow the mainlanders ways. I think this is why Hawaii is going downhill faster and faster as the years go on.

When we went to the lo'i, it really lightened my heart. Seeing that people still really care about staying independent and sustainable was great. Helping out was fun, and i learned so much while i was there. I liked it so much that me and some of my friends have been going there during the weekends to help out. It also made me start expanding and taking better care of my family garden.