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Executive Director’s Message

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Nature Activities for Learning and Understanding (NALU) Studies, provides hands-on, meaningful environmental-science education opportunities for youth. Started in 2009, our mission is to design and implement scientific and ecological learning experiences that help to transform the lives of Hawaii’s at-risk youth.

NALU Studies continues to partner with the Hawaii Juvenille Court System on Oahu, including judges, parole officers, social workers and school counselors to offer this unique program to students between the ages of 13 to 17 years old. Enrollment continues to rise and at the same time, students are interested in learning more.

Through NALU Studies, students have an alternative opportunity for learning that is integrated and holistic in its approach to Western sciences. Using our surrounding environment of land and sea along with cultural history and knowledge, NALU Studies cultivates students’ curiosity and interest with hands-on learning opportunities.

Connecting natural

resources, science and

Hawaiian culture

to inspire change.

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Beyond academic learning, NALU Studies strives to transform and empower the lives of youth by building trusting relationships and providing guidance and mentoring while presenting a chance to experience personal achievement.

During our pilot phase over 90% percent of students successfully completed NALU Studies’ courses. After being a part of our program, many of these students who previously had no interest in their education, have dramatically changed their path. Students have gone on to improve school attendance and grades, graduate from high school, plan for college, take part in paid federal internship programs, and/or serve as leaders in community programs.

We are looking forward to continued growth with the program serving more students in Hawaii.

Students in NALU Studies receive:

One (1) College Credit

High School Credit

Pre-enrolled in the University of Hawaii System

Internship Opportunities with partners

Job Placement Opportunities

Career Guidance & Mentoring

Certification in CPR & First Aid

Cultural Awareness

Leadership Skills

Writing Skills

Public Speaking Skills

Critical Thinking Skills

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Basic Series

In response to student demand, NALU Studies has expanded to create a Basic Series that has three consecutive courses using a traditional Hawaiian ahupua‘a (land division from mountain to sea) as its focus. NALU Studies continues to blend outdoor exploration and inquisition which then leads into intensive academic-based scientific learning, including marine biology and environmental sciences. This experience is reinforced with skills practice and community involvement opportunities Each cohort of the Basic Series, with up to 20 students stays together through the progressive courses, spanning 1 year total.

NALU 101: our basic oversight course that examines a traditional ahupua‘a up close. NALU 102 is an in-depth study of marine sciences and human impact on the ocean. Then, NALU 103 will focus on the relational impact of terrestrial and marine environments within an ahupua‘a (pending funding).

Year in Review

“NALU Studies has had a very big impact on me because we learned about marine biology and how to take care of our coral reef. 50% of our oxygen comes from the ocean and without that we will all suffocate.” ~ Damien

Exploring our islands to better understand human impact on nature.

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Each course earns a student high school and college credit that is applicable towards their educational goals.

Volunteers & Partners

NALU Studies is especially grateful for the volunteers and partners that continuously enrich the program for students. Volunteers offer specialized skills and knowledge to further enrich the program’s curriculum by working closely with students. At the same time, this is an opportunity for students to work side-by-side with experts in the field and is a unique opportunity for mentoring and guidance.

Partners include the National Ocean Atmospheric Association (NOAA), Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nā Pohaku o Hauwahine, the Waikalua Loko Native Hawaiian Fishpond, the Nature Conservancy, the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Natural Resource and Environmental Management program, the Tsunami Warning Center, and other organizations.

“I think the importance of NALU is that it connects people from two different walks of life, like

scientists to youths, and it gives you a greater understanding than reading about a research project that someone else did in a magazine.”

~ Kimo

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Internal Changes

NALU Studies is honored to announce that Pacific American Foundation now serves as our fiscal agent. The Pacific American Foundation, is a 501 (c)3 organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of Pacific Americans through culturally based curriculum.

Our administration felt that this was an ideal fit for the future of our program due to the similarities in focus and the possibilities to further collaborate our knowledge and resources. We are definitely looking forward to a long-term relationship with the team at the Pacific American Foundation.

Additionally, NALU Studies welcomes back Paul Franz now serving as our Executive Director and Michael Lee, Director of Operations. Both Mr. Franz and Mr. Lee have worked with NALU Studies as teachers in our programs and are excited to be a part of our administrative team. Manning Taite, will continue to inspire NALU Studies as a Board Advisor.

Taking science and learning into the field, keeping students engaged

in their education.

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Funding & Support

Our program is made possible through the generosity and support of:

• The Bill Heally Foundation

• Harold K.L. Castle Foundation

• Rev. Takie Okumura Family Fund

• Pierre & Pamela Omydiar Fund

In addition, we would like to acknowledge the following partners for their critical support of NALU Studies, including:

• Windward Community College

• The Hawaii Juvenile Court System

• Myron B. Thompson Academy

• King Intermediate School

• Nā Kama Kai

Proving that there are no limits to the enthusiasm of learning, if you just

approach the opportunity differently.

“I want to talk about why we need to stop people from overfishing because

when I was in NALU Studies I found out that if we don’t stop fishing we are going

to run out of fish by the next century.” ~ Daniel

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On the HorizonNALU Studies is looking ahead towards expandsion and sustainability. Our pilot phase has taught us that the progam can make an encouraging difference in the lives of Hawaii’s youth. And with new learning experiences in science students are also thriving in the positive atmosphere that NALU Studies, along side its partners, is able to provide.

In the year ahead, our hope is to scale up from the pilot phase in order to reach more students while adding depth to the curriculum in place. We would also like to create, pilot test and implement NALU 103.

NALU Studies is also seeking support in creating a leadership training for students who successfully complete the Basic Series and are interested in furthering their learning.

Internally, NALU Studies will be building its infrastructure in response to the growth of the program and increased capacity. This will include setting our

“I went from being a screw up and NALU showed me a better way to education cause I didn’t think that I even wanted to go to college. I gave up on myself and it got me motivated to go to college and now I’m going to WCC and it taught me a new way to learn than just looking at books. It gave me hands on experiences.” ~ Jeani

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long-term strategic plan, cultivating our Board of Advisors and ensuring XX??

“I really enjoyed working in a lab because its one way to keep my sanity and its really fun using all the equipment. I would like to thank everybody out there for supporting me and everybody else in NALU in giving me a second chance.” ~ Amy

Believing that when you re‐direct a youth’s life, you

change the lives of a family and strengthen

our community.