Apr. 11, 2018

Contributed by Kristen Purdy

Papa Mālaaʻo has spent a great amount of time learning about the kai and the many animals that live under the sea. During the Poʻakolu Hoʻoulu Special Schedule, Kumu Kaʻōpūiki decided to continue with the kai-unit and teach about a native Hawaiian endangered species that does not live in the ocean, but is extremely dependent on it.

The haumāna learned and embodied nā manu o ke kai (sea birds), specifically the uaʻu (Hawaiian petrel)., but also learned about the aʻo, and uaʻu kani.  Students acted out the uaʻu’s life-cycle, formed its body with geometrical shapes, wrote haiku poetry, and learned about the challenges of why these manu are endangered and the conservation efforts in place to save this species.

To end the unit, Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project gave the haumāna an opportunity to touch a taxidermy uaʻu, aʻo, and uaʻu kani.  The presenters had a fun lesson for the haumāna to act out a family of uaʻu and learn the effects of ocean pollution. 

 

Submitted by: Alana Kaopuiki-Pellegrino, Grade K-2 Resource Kumu

Temana acts as a young uaʻu chick in his burrow and sorts the food that he received from his “parents”.
Credit: Kumu Kaopuiki-Pellegrino

Students got to touch a taxidermy uaʻu, uaʻu kani, and aʻo.
Credit: Kumu Kaopuiki-Pellegrino

Students use 2-D shapes to make an uaʻu, while learning about its characteristics- pink legs, black feet, black top feathers and white feathers underneath.
Credit: Kumu Kaopuiki-Pellegrino