Every year since 2001, students at Mauna Loa School have embarked on their own version of “outdoor school,” a field-based science program. Mauna Loa School staff, Julia Kohltfarber and Principal Allen Lipps, decided to establish their own outdoor program on the Big Island of Hawaii. The last four years have seen them circumnavigate the island, starting in Kona, working their way around to the Volcano National Park area, and finally going to the Kohala district this last school year.

“While looking for a place to establish a week-long camp, I met and established a friendship with former state Senator David Matsuura at a men’s ministries breakfast,” said Lipps. “He told me of his enthusiasm for the environment, and how he was the ‘managing steward’ of a several thousand-acre ranch in the Hamakua/Kohala district called Umikoa Ranch.” The ranch is frequented by youth groups, particularly for those that wanted to do different types of conservation work.

Mauna Loa School arranged to stay at Umikoa Ranch, which is 4,000 feet in elevation. “I am hoping that while they are there, the students will become involved in one of several conservation projects that we have started or keep ongoing,” said Matsuura.

As part of their assignments during the outdoor school week, the students chose to help plan for, design, layout and plant a two-acre enclosure for a pair of Hawaiian Nene geese, the Hawaii State bird which is currently on the endangered species list. Matsuura and his staff had already cleared the land and built a small lake for the birds. He also provided all of the native vegetation for students to plant.

In order to be ready, the seventh and eighth grade students researched the feeding, nesting and mating habits of the nene goose. They were especially interested in what they could do to give the pair of geese the best chance of producing and raising their young.

Trekking the five-miles from base camp at the ranch house to the work site in four-wheel drive trucks, the students unloaded in a foggy, barren land with a small lake in the background. Matsuura delivered the heavy equipment and a truckload of plants.

“It was good that we had studied the information the week before,” explained one student. “With the help of our teacher, we drew out a plan in the dirt.” That plan took into consideration what kinds of plants should go where to ensure the protection of the young, access to feed plants and optimal mating conditions. Thirty-five students and staff separated, sorted, and planted the entire two acres in two hours.

“I hope these geese are happy,” said second-grader Quinn Castro. “We made them a nice home!”

“I hope that we can come back and check on the progress of this project in the years to come,” said seventh-grader William Farr.

“I will be putting up a sign at this site giving Mauna Loa School the credit for designing and building this site,” said Matsuura. “It will be an accomplishment these children won’t forget.”