Day 5: Appreciating Nature & Hawaiian Culture by Lindsey Billings

Our morning started very early with a 6:45 am lecture on ecosystems and a review of how Earth's subsystems interact. After a quick breakfast, we drove to Kiholo Bay for volunteer work. 

When we arrived, a group of people who worked at the fish pond greeted our group. Before entering, we had to show our respect for the land and set our intentions for the day. We did this through an "oli," a Hawaiian chant. The interns did the oli on our behalf, and the other workers responded with their chant. The singing and chanting were in Hawaiian, and although I couldn't understand what they were saying, I had goosebumps. I felt connected to the other people there even though we were strangers. I gained a greater respect for Hawaiian culture and the importance of passing it on to future generations.

After this, we got the opportunity to "kilo," meaning to observe. We had 10 minutes to walk around Kiholo Bay and observe our surroundings using our senses. The water was clear and calm, and I saw small fish darting around. A crab sat peacefully on a rock, eating algae. All of the organisms seemed to be in perfect balance. Because of the silence, I could hear the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the nearby beach and colorful birds chirping in the trees. The silence allowed me to be in the moment truly. I was stressed and tired from many long days, but the tranquility of the kilo let me pause and relax. The tension in my shoulders finally released. Until that moment, my exhaustion stopped me from appreciating that I was on a beautiful island and that being here was a privilege many would never experience. 

When the time was up, we split into two groups. A group worked to repair the rock wall bordering the pond while my group dug holes to plant coconut tree saplings. I hope that one day I will come back and see that the trees we planted have become fully grown. We ate lunch and then took a tour of the bay. There was a schoolhouse built from coral washed up on the beach. They heated the coral to form a cement-like substance. It was amazing how the Hawaiian people adapted and learned to use the resources around them. On the way back, we stopped to shave ice. It was refreshing after being in the sun all day. That night, we watched the movie Chasing Ice. The main character puts himself in dangerous situations to capture the melting glaciers. His work convinced many that global warming was real. Overall, I learned today to stop and appreciate where I currently am. I hope to carry this mindset with me in the future.

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