KSK students visit North Shore wind farm

Over 100 KSK middle school students experienced real-world learning at First Wind's North Shore wind farm. The students learned that the 69 megawatt wind farm produces enough clean, renewable energy to power about 14,500 O‘ahu homes.

May. 5, 2014

Contributed by Aron Dote

Ancient Hawaiians first recognized the power of wind as it assisted them on their travels throughout the Pacific. Today that same force is harnessed to create clean renewable energy for homes, businesses and transportation.

Over 100 Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Middle School seventh graders experienced this first-hand recently at First Wind’s Kawailoa Wind farm on Oʻahu’s North Shore.

Students from the Pū‘ulu ‘Ohe class applied their He Moku He Wa‘a (An Island is a Canoe) lessons – focused on sustainability and ecology – in the real world at the wind farm.

“We were all impressed with the wind farm and it fit nicely into what students were learning at the time,” says Christy Mishima KS Kapālama seventh grade teacher.

The students learned that the 69 megawatt wind farm produces enough clean, renewable energy to power about 14,500 O‘ahu homes, meeting as much as five to 10 percent of the island’s electrical load.

The Kawailoa Wind farm is a joint venture between KS and First Wind, an independent renewable energy company. The farm began operation in 2012 and is part of KS’ North Shore Plan aimed at contributing to a sustainable clean energy future, energy efficiency gains and renewable initiatives.

For more information about KS’ commitment to steward its land and natural resources visit www.ksbe.edu/land. To set up a tour of the wind farm or any of KS’ land assets, please email land@ksbe.edu.

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kapalama,lad,campus,north shore,wind,energy,sustainable