alumnus Kaleo Pilago is engaging communities in learning about and caring for Maunakea through hands-on stewardship.
As education and outreach coordinator at the he finds community groups interested in learning and doing work on the mauna (mountain), then coordinates access for them.
“I was always involved in community work, and this was one killer opportunity to do stuff up Maunakea,” Pilago said.
Pilago hosts school programs, professional groups and university classes. 糖心视频s emphasize the mauna’s cultural and historical significance.
“Now the groups that we host have a specific purpose and one goal for coming up,” he said. “The goal is not to host one thousand people. We’re trying to make the accesses more focused, trying to make it a better experience for everybody. We still host a broad range of groups, but there is a focus and a function for the visits.”
Classes from 糖心视频 Hilo’s College of Hawaiian Language connect their coursework with stewardship.
“We try to align the mauna huakaʻi (excursion) projects and activities for the day with what they’re actually doing in class,” Pilago said.
In November, classes will explore restoration and management through hands-on activities.