Throughout the process of this Kahiau Project, I have learned more than just the topic, but lessons that I can use in life. The ocean and water in our earth are an important piece of why we are able to live and breathe. Researching our topic of ocean pollution, taught me that not only do we not take care of what is given to us, but we take for it granted as well. I have learned that by bringing more awareness of what is going on with our water and our ocean in Hawaii, slowly and eventually we will be able to show and educate more and more people of this issue of ocean pollution. By starting in Hawaii, it gives us a platform to go off of. Participating in beach cleanups, throwing trash away, bringing to light the importance of ocean pollution is vital in saving our Earthʻs water. Do not be afraid to speak out if you see someone leave trash on the ground; show humility and throw any trash you see. By teaching Hawaiians and those from Hawaii why going back to our cultural roots by taking care of what was given to us, is a small step of achieving this goal to lessen and bring more awareness of ocean pollution.
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What are some examples of how Capitalism & corporate economics (Walmart/Walgreens/Target, etc) is creating challenges in your own island, community, state, nation that relates to this UN Goal / Issue?Every big corporation you can think of is capitalist. Corporations such as Walmart, Walgreens, Target, etc promote the use of plastics. Plastics are one of the many ocean pollutants in the word. With big franchises using plastics and non-recyclable packaging and products, it promotes littering in a way. Although it is not the fault of businesses that people are not disposing of waste properly, you can eliminate the temptation of littering by using recyclable packaging and products (if possible).
Why is this something to consider: Do you see a specific (friends or family you know) with a personal connection to these issues that connect with poverty or other social challenges (and please try to find at least one) - what/who is it and why? I do know people who have connections with poverty due to the lack of employment in Hawaii. I have family and friends who are living paycheck to paycheck because the rate of pay is not supporting them enough. I have family members who have to work more than one job to provide for their family. There are homeless people everywhere in Oahu because they can't afford the cost of living here and might have mental illnesses. There is not enough housing in Hawaii for everyone, which is a problem because we are low in supply but high in demand. What, if anything, are you learning about how economic trends impact your Global issue and how has your understanding of the impacts of it perhaps influenced the way you see your group topic as a worthwhile challenge or problem to be addressed? People everywhere in the world use plastics, non-recyclable, or non-reusable items. If more people would be invested in making new products that are biodegradable or reusable, it could lower the amount of waste in our waters and oceans. The manufacturing businesses could then make these products possibly using eco-friendly power sources. Big corporations, businesses, and franchises could find ways to sell, promote, and market eco-friendly products. I understand that the use of plastics is found throughout the globe, but if we were able to reduce the usage of plastics and use eco-friendly products and materials it would lower the amount of waste in our oceans. What are some examples of how IMPERIALIZATION / GLOBALIZATION is creating challenges in your own island, community, state, nation that relates to this UN Goal / Issue?
An example of imperialism and globalization in Hawaii, is the foreign groups of people who come here to vacation and have fun. With more people coming here, the more trash and waste. People tend to leave waste on the beaches and on hikes to waterfalls, all affecting Hawaii’s water sources. Why is this something to consider: Do you see a specific (friends or family you know) with a personal connection to this (and please try to find at least one) - what/who is it and why? Hawaii, especially O’ahu, can be over-crowded in certain parts of the island. In Waikiki, it is full of tourists that do not know anything about our culture. The ocean pollution in Waikiki has caused beach erosion and trash to be found in the water and sand. I know people who have visited and tried to pick up after themselves, it does not hurt to remind others to pick up their trash. What, if anything, are you learning about Imperialization/Globalization and how has your understanding of the impacts of it perhaps influenced the way you see your group topic as a worthwhile challenge or problem to be addressed? Learning about imperialization and globalization has broaden my perspective of ocean pollution and how to bring awareness. It has also helped me understand history from Hawaii and around the world and how it relates to the animals and corals under the sea. It deepened my knowledge of imperialization and globalization by able to connect it to Hawaii, to other countries, and to other people groups. What are some examples of how COLONIZATION OR GLOBALIZATION is creating challenges in your own island, community, state, nation that relates to this UN Goal / Issue?
Colonization and Globalization in Hawaii is a big thing because every type of ethnicity group comes and or lives here. But because the large population and the love of beaches in Hawaii, people tend to discard waste and trash on the beaches. The planes that bring over the mainlanders and foreigners release gas that affect the ocean which affects the coral reefs and sea animals. Why is this something to consider: Do you see a personal connection to this (and please try to find at least one) - what is it and why? Seeing how crowded Hawaii is begins to make you think of what this size of a population could do to the environment. Hawaii beaches are always crowded and filled with all types of people. I see people discard waste of food and plastics at the beaches. I see plastics floating in the ocean when I’m snorkeling. It is important to consider why and how the trash and waste had got there. If we can stop the source of the problem, we may be able to stop ocean pollution. What, if anything, are you learning about Colonization or Globalization and how has your understanding of the impacts of Colonization and/or Globalization perhaps influenced the way you see your group topic as a challenge or problem to be addressed? Learning about colonization and globalization has given me a new perspective on how raising awareness for ocean pollution is important. It also gives me a new perspective about how it is important to gain more information about our topic locally and globally. As a group, our focus is to really spread the word about how and why ocean pollution is important. Individually, my focus is to gather more information and explain about ocean pollution to my family. What are some examples of your research topic in your own island, community, state, nation?
Ocean pollution is important to Hawaii because we are surrounded by water. It is a real issue in Hawaii because it also affects our native Hawaiian animals and our coral reefs. Ocean pollution and waste has increased in Hawaii over time by 77%. Why was this topic chosen by the group? We chose “Life Below Water” because we all have a love of water. Each of us has grown up being in the ocean. Especially being a Hawaiian, we learned that water gives life to everything. We felt obligated to bring awareness to an important topic in our culture. what is a personal connection to the issue or just because you have to do something :) If a personal connection (and please try to find at least one) - what is it and why? My personal connection is my love for the water. Since I could remember, I have always been in the water, whether it was to surf, body board, swim, or snorkel. Whenever I go to the beach, I see rubbish all over the sand and I always wondered why anyone would litter. I learned as a young child to always appreciate and take care of what I have. I felt obligated to take care of what I had loved since I was a child, the ocean. How can this topic change or improve the Hawaii we live in? For who? Does this audience connect with you in any way? If so, how & why.. do you have personal friends of family members that are or possibly could be in this audience? By bringing awareness to improve Hawaii’s oceans is key to promote the wellness of our waters and waters around the world. My goal is to bring ocean pollution to my friends and family hoping they will spread the word to their friends and family. By starting to bring attention to ocean pollution here in Hawaii, my hope is that it could spread to other continents and nations around the world. What do you think of your ability to make an impact in the community & possibly make a difference in this issue? I believe that because I am passionate about this topic, I will only grow and want to do more about this issue. Why would that be important? What kinds of lessons do you think you will learn from this Kahiau experience? It is important to impact the community, but because I am passionate about what we are doing, I can only hope that I will be able to impact the community and the people. My hope is to learn more about ocean pollution and how it affects Hawaii and the world. I think I will learn lessons of giving back to those who give to me, taking care of the land and sea, and more. Between the weeks of December 19th to January 7, 2019, I had winter break. I was not able to complete any community service during this time because I had sporting events everyday. However, myself and my group were able to decide on the dates and the times of the community service projects we wanted to do by ourselves or as a group. Our focus for this Kahiau Project is ocean pollution. Our goal is to raise more awareness and learn more about what is affecting our waters around the world.
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About the AuthorMy name is MacKenzie Dela Vega. I am in tenth grade at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. Archives
April 2019
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