This unique, biology program will be open to participants with a desire to learn about tropical habitats by direct experience, and have the ability to adapt to unfamiliar food, culture and surroundings. The program will be run on the “Big Island” of Hawaii from July 5 to July 19, 2007. The Kohlala Center, Waimea, HI will coordinate or program in Hawaii. The Hawaiian Preparatory Academy (HPA), Waimea, the Pahala Plantation Cottages, Pahala, and the Monago Hotel, Captain Cook, Hawaii will provide room and board and act as our bases of operations. The program will include day trips to various locations throughout the “Big Island”. Participants will spend their days in a guided exploration of the Island that will include many fascinating activities and discussions of Hawaiian culture, tropical habitats (both terrestrial and marine) and conservation. The courses will include “habitat talks” (lectures/discussions), workshops, and readings from scientific and popular literature. Field activities will include guided nature walks, snorkeling and sailboat excursions.

Participants will attend program events in Phoenix and Hawaii. They will be required to attend a series of orientation meetings prior to departure for Hawaii. Once in Hawaii they will be required to participate in an intensive course of study offered by Dr. Philip Pepe of Phoenix College and Dr. John Weser of Scottsdale Community College. Participants will earn 3 credits through Phoenix College or Scottsdale Community College for BIO 148 Coral Reef Ecology (1 credit) and BIO 149AL Ecological Field Experience (2 credits). Participants will also be required to attend a post-trip meeting after returning from Hawaii. Prerequisites: good physical condition and swimming proficiency. Participants may request a pass/no credit grading option.

Through this program, MCCD will make a commitment to prepare its participants for successful participation in the global environmental community. Participants in this program will be exposed to tropical environments that are unavailable to them on the U.S. mainland. They will experience the high biodiversity found on the Hawaiian Islands; one of the most highly developed coral systems in the U.S. Hawaii has made tremendous strides in protecting its precious tropical resources. Participants will learn about the roles of the public and private sectors in this conservation effort. The teaching and learning that will occur will develop knowledge and promote values among our participants to participate and become leaders in the global environmental protection effort.

This study program reflects MCCD’s strategic goal of training individuals who value and respect cultural differences. The program is delivered in a perspective that compares the Hawaiian and mainland U.S. cultural approaches to environmental protection. Government and park personnel visit our students to discuss local environmental issues. The group will develop of a series of environmental action plans. These plans consider land and ocean use policies for selected sites on the Island. Participants visit these sites, discuss their living and cultural resources, and write comments about them that are delivered conservation organizations on the Island. To further our cultural exchange, participants visit Polynesian cultural and archeological sites.

1. Hapuna Beach, Kohala Coast
2. Mauna Lani Fish Ponds, Kohala Coast
3. North Kohala, Kohala Coast
4. Kahaluu Beach, Kona
5. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau Park, Kona Coast
6. Kauhako Bay, Kona Coast
7. Kealakekua Bay, Kona Coast
8. Amy Greenwell Botanical Gardens, Kona Coast
9. Waipio Valley, Hamakua Coast
10. Akaka Falls, Hamakua Coast
11. KoleKole Beach Park, Hamakua Coast
12. Tsunami Museum, Hilo
13. Onekahakaha Tide Pool, Hilo
14. Crater Rim Drive, Volcanoes National Park
15. Thurston Lava Tube, Volcanoes National Park
16. Kilauea Iki Crater, Volcanoes National Park
17. Honuapo Preserve, South Coast
18. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, South Coast

Security Assessment:
U.S. citizens may travel to Hawaii without a valid U.S. passport. No special precautions are necessary. The crime rate is low but tourists may be the target of petty thieves. Penalties for possession, use, and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.

Safety Assessment:
Excellent medical care is available. Travelers are strongly urged to consult with their medical insurance company to confirm whether their policy applies out-of-state. Supplemental coverage may be necessary. Road conditions, availability of roadside assistance and safety of public transportation, are rated as good.

CDC Health Assessment:
The incidence of communicable diseases is such that they are unlikely to prove a hazard for Hawaii travelers greater than that found on the mainland. There are, of course, health risks, but in general, the precautions required are minimal. The most likely health risks to affect participants will be motion sickness, sunburn, heat rash, blisters, cuts and scratches. There is also an increased risk of swimming injuries and encounters with dangerous marine organisms due to the activities associated with the program.

Diseases of insanitation such as cholera and typhoid fever are unheard of and traveler’s diarrhea is uncommon. Nevertheless, the CDC recommends safeguarding food and drinking water. Tropical diseases such as yellow fever and malaria are as yet unknown. Periodic outbreaks of mosquito borne diseases such as West Nile are rare and highly localized.

The CDC recommends the following vaccines as needed:

• Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine (all adults, every 10 years)
• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (adults 50 and older)
• Pneumococcal Vaccine (adults 65 and older)
• Hepatitis B Vaccine (adults at risk)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine (susceptible adults)
• Varicella (chickenpox) Vaccine (susceptible adults).

For more information visit the Hawaii State Health Department website at <http://www.state.hi.us/health/>.

Emergency Action Plan:

Hawaiian Preparatory Academy:
HPA Auxiliary Programs Office
65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road
Kamuela, HI 96743
Phone (808) 881-4018
Fax (808) 881-4911
Web www.hpa.edu

HPA Security Office
Phone (808) 881-4006

Police Station:
Waimea Police Station, 67-5185 Kamamalu St., Kamuela, HI 96743 (808) 887-3080

Kona Police Station, 74-5221Q Kaahumanu Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 (808) 326-4646

Naalehu Police Station, 95-5353 Mamalahoa Hwy Naalehu, HI 96772

Medical Facilities:
North Hawaii Community Hospital,
67-1125 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela, HI 96743 (808) 885-4444

Keauhou Urgent Care Center,
78-6831 Alii Drive Suite K9 Keauhou, HI 96740 (808) 322-2544

Kau Hospital
1 Kamani St, Pahala, HI 96777 (808) 928-8331

HPA Infirmary
A First aid kits are located on the HPA Village Campus

 

FEES: These are estimated expenses based on a minimum number of participants = 10.

Food: