Ancient Cultures & Wild Environments: The Hawai’i Project

Join us this winter as we explore one of the world’s most beautiful locations, the Hawai’ian Islands. Team members will have the unique opportunity to take part in an intimate, comprehensive examination of Hawai’i’s island ecosystems, the diverse island cultures, and the environmental challenges these islands face today. Our investigation takes us on a back-country exploration of cultural and ecological systems of the Hawaiian Islands as we experience the broad range of island environments from tropical forests to rich marine ecosystems.

The islands of Hawai’i form one of the most beautiful and dynamic island chains on earth. They hold the world’s most active volcanoes, tropical rainforests, and at certain times of the year, snow. These islands are a showcase of evolutionary biology. Extraordinary geology has taken place here: the Hawai’i Island Chain spans over 2,000 miles in length and 30 million years in age. A combination of time and age that has led to the formation of steep cliffs, deep rural valleys, dense tropical forests, long winding lava flows and vibrant coral reef systems. The isolation of the islands has produced unique and diverse species of plants and animals found only in Hawai’i and no where else on earth. The topography and weather are also extremely diverse: Hawai’i has 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones, varied ecological systems, and an elevation range from sea level to 13,967 feet. This blend of age, volcanism, climate, evolution, and human impact make Hawai’i an excellent outdoor laboratory for a field study such as ours.

Team members will investigate many of Hawai’i’s unique ecosystems, such as lava flows, rainforests, and wild coastal areas. We will discover how humans have impacted the island ecosystem, beginning with ancient cultures and culminating in present day Hawai’i. Our explorations will take us to untouched corners of the islands, with the chance to understand how the island’s system is coping with extensive environmental change.

THE PROJECT

Most of our fieldwork will take place on the “Big Island” of Hawai’i, geologically one of the youngest spots on earth. This island boasts a compelling human history to match its natural drama. With active volcanoes, lava landscapes, and black sand beaches, mixed in with numerous ancient religious sites, the island’s intrigue remains as alive today as in ancient Hawai’ian society. Here our team will study, explore, live in, and interact with both the environment and its inhabitants.

Together we will explore Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and its unique geology and biology. We will conduct backcountry hikes to remote locations to access rare flora and fauna, including a local sea turtle site and cultural landmarks. The team will also visit ancient cultural sites around the Big Island, and through field studies, readings, and seminars, learn how the most remote island chain in the world was discovered and nurtured by a unique Polynesian people. We will spend time among Hawai’i’s famous coral reefs while we study the biodiversity of the island’s coast and reef systems. We will spend an evening snorkeling amidst manta rays at one of the island’s only mantra ray feeding grounds and partake in an on-going study of these fascinating creatures. Other remote coastal areas of cultural and ecological importance will be studied, including working with local ENGO groups to discover how conservation is implemented within an island structure. 


As a team, we will study the contrast between traditional and modern concepts of wilderness, the ancient Hawai’ian spirit of “lokahi” or balance, and discover the human impact on Hawai’i’s wildlands. Through our explorations, we will come to better understand how the needs of Hawai’i’s urban and wildland communities must balance if the Hawai’ian Islands are to remain a paradise and keep the Aloha Spirit alive.  Additional In-country Expense: $1500.

Read the full course description:

PROJECT LEADER

STEPHANIE OLSEN is a Marine Wildlife Biologist, specializing in marine conservation. She has taught, studied and worked in many Pacific Rim countries including Western Canada, Hawaii, Alaska and Thailand.