Serving our Communities
In Fall 2023, After-School Global Studies Classes implemented some outstanding Global Action Projects (GAPs) in their communities. After identifying their community’s specific needs, classes took action to make a positive impact on these global issues at the local level. Many classes tie their GAP to a curriculum unit they studies, while others address the needs of the community. The units for Fall 2023 were: non-proliferation, peace, and Japan.
‘Aiea High School named their GAP “Project Maluhia” which asked, “How can we have peace in the world if many people don’t have inner peace? To get inner peace, they must have necessities.” The students identified homelessness as a priority issue in the community, researched the needs of shelters, and compiled data about teen homelessness and students who receive free and reduced meals. They designed posters that they displayed on campus and held a donation drive from which they were able to create 10 “Bags of Peace,” – each one filled with soap, clothing, paper, socks, snacks, and more.
Farrington High School also focused their GAP on peace and Japan by having students apply Japanese art techniques to draw or paint a reimagined school campus that would promote peace. Students’ Campus Peace or Zen Garden designs were thoughtful and insightful and hold a lot of potential to really transform the school in positive and innovative ways. Students presented their ideas to other students and the school administration.
Kapaʻa High School continues to serve their community on the global issue of food security. This semester, class students planted 200 Japanese heirloom squash in their school’s community garden. The squash will go on to provide close to 1,000 pounds of food for their community through a partnership with their local food bank and a working relationship with the local houseless community adjacent to the garden. Students, faculty, staff, and community members will also receive squash upon harvesting.
Waiākea High School went down the path of discovery, as they discovered the Hawaiʻi Japanese Center in Hilo, and then created Discovery Boxes to spread the word about the museum to their community. Students visited the museum and saw beautiful, real artifacts of Japanese in Hawaiʻi that correlated to Hilo. Many of the students did not know that the center existed. Everyone in the class chose a part of the museum they liked and created Discovery Boxes that represented that section. The class got their school principal and social studies teachers to also visit the center. The students hope that by seeing their Discovery Boxes, more people will learn about Japanese culture and the diaspora in Hawaiʻi.