Equipping Kumu with Ocean Education Curriculum

Nā Kama Kai designed a professional development course in partnership with Education Incubator for elementary school teachers across Hawaiʻi. Also called PDE3, our courses took the form of specialized ocean clinics structured to equip kumu with lessons in ocean safety stewardship, and conservation. Through hoʻokele (wayfinding), kai palekana (ocean safety), kū hoe (stand-up paddling), and hoe waʻa (canoe paddling), we hope to inspire our kumu to bring these lessons from the sea to their haumāna in their classrooms. Mahalo to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education for their support.

Since its launch in 2023, Nā Kama Kai has hosted almost 100 elementary school teachers on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. Each kumu who attends a Kumu Klinic receives free copies of our Ocean Safety & Stewardship Awareness Booklets to distribute to their haumāna, spark conversations around ocean safety, and inspire new lesson plans in their classroom.

Download our Free Booklet here

See examples of inspired works from haumāna below.

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