I Ka Hana Ka 'Ike: Environmental Field Studies in Hawai'i

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003Pacific Islands StudiesThe purpose of this thesis is to explore environmental education (EE) in Hawai'i through a case-study of the Wildlands Studies: Hawai'i program. I begin by outlining Hawai'i's pressing environmental concerns and the necessity of effective EE. Internationally accepted and Hawai'i specific goals and objectives of EE are used to analyze the content and curriculum of the Wildlands Studies: Hawai'i program. A successful program should improve knowledge about and shape healthy attitudes towards the natural environment and Hawaiian culture, guiding students to engage in environmentally responsible and culturally sensitive behavior. I determined that the ideals of Wildlands Studies: Hawai'i are essentially consistent with both international and Hawai'i specific goals. However, in practice the program is lacking some vital elements. I suggest that this type of program be further developed to involve local students. The culmination of this thesis is a proposed 'ideal' environmental field studies program for Hawai'i students