Written by Hawai’i Students, Kayla Pitch 🍊 and Abdulaziz Albreiki 🐙
The past week has been jam packed with new experiences. Last weekend we went to The Blowhole, which is a massive hole in the rock where water blows through up to dozens of feet in the air creating a truly unique experience for everyone. The following day we went to the Lahaina Crafts Fair, where we were able to wander through stalls of clothes, jewelry, art pieces, and interesting marine info on Hawai’i. The group then headed off to the Olivine pools, which are gorgeous turquoise tide pools, located on top of barren lava. We snorkeled inside of the pools, saw incredible fish, and took stunning pictures.
Throughout the week we headed back to Kipuka Olowalu to complete our inspiring nontraditional learning. We planted native trees, replanted the Taro we harvested last week, continued to practice Hula, and learned a LOT about worms! The group spent a whole day with Lizzie, one of the cultural practitioners at Kipuka Olowalu, who taught us how to make lei, which we wore on our final day there. We are so grateful for our time there and will take our knowledge into the world with us.
Our Top Three Highlights of the Week:
🏄 Surfing: The Aloha group got to experience surfing (many for the first time) in Hawaiian waters, with Goofy Foot Surf School. The waves were difficult to manage the first day, but there was a cleaner swell and better waves the second day. By the end, everyone had gotten the hang of it.
🎤 Live mic/Hula performance: The group had a week to prepare 2-5 minute speeches/presentations on a topic of interest that was currently relevant to their lives. The instructions were intentionally vague to give students more creative control. Presentations ranged from guided meditations to stories to personal essays. Meanwhile, the Hula performance was the culmination of a week and a half worth of practice guided by Ua, our main cultural practitioner at Kipuka Olawalu. Our eventual performance wasn’t the best, but fortunately, it was just us.
🤠 Met Raaaaaaandy: After our Saturday plans got rained out we reconvened at the resort beaches covered pavilion while waiting out the rain in order to go snorkeling in the turtle and fish filled waters. While sitting at a picnic table playing some games we began talking to an older gentleman by the name of Randy. Randy, we learned, is from Dallas, is a retired EMT, now a photographer, and loves college football. Especially Alabama. After getting to know him and the rain let up, Randy was kind enough to offer his photographic skills and took a picture of the group.
But transformation always comes with opportunities for growth: What were our main challenges this week?
The biggest obstacle this week was the stress of having to move around so often, due to weather conditions. Fortunately, the group adapted extremely well, and the different conditions led to lots of group bonding and some great memories. At the Airbnb the group sat down and was able to work through the only disagreement we have had so far, and not to brag but it went really well and has only brought the group closer together.
How we’re bonding as a group: Spunky, Scrumptious, Sweaty, Sandy, Spicy, Sassy, and Sizzling. Also Swagtastic (Emma’s addition). Our group has definitely been through experiences no one else has gotten to, so we have bonded in a unique way. We love to stay up after dinner and play games all together, make jokes, share music, and go on walks together. I love to call us a big happy family ❤️
Until next time! ❤️ Spring 2023 Hawai’i Semester
P.S. A special report – Who is Randy?
To the hurt, Randy is the healer. To the persecuted, Randy is justice. To the uneducated, Randy is the professor. To the voiceless, Randy is an Audio Technica AT 2035 Microphone.
Randy is more than just a person. It’s a place, an emotion, an experience. Randy is the morning coffee after a night of great, revitalizing sleep. Randy is a hot shower after a 15 mile marathon; the taste of melting marshmallows that have been heated to perfection over; the divine, euphoric smell of burning sunscreen.
We hope you get to experience Randy one day.
