Aloha! We started our day with sunrise yoga and breakfast at a local coffee shop. Many of us tried açaí and pataya bowls for the first time, and we fueled up for the day ahead.
We elected to have a late lunch and condense our volunteering into one nonstop session. We further tended to the kalo plants from the previous day. Submerged in mud, we fertilized around the plants with fish meal, dehydrated and ground fish from the local area. Half of us then courageously carried buckets of mulch back and forth from the farmhouse to the swamp, and the other half covered the kalo plants in mulch. This was a particularly significant endeavor, because the fertilization and mulching process only occurs twice throughout the twelve month life cycle of the plants. During this work, we discussed the significance of recognizing and preserving the space that we occupy, as well as the transfer of energy from our bodies to the plants. It was very important that we nourished the plants with positive, gracious energy so that they can nourish the people they will feed.
After tending to the kalo, we began weeding in a nearby forest. Ninety percent of the plants at the preserve are invasive species, so it is of high priority to preserve the native plants. All of us contributed to a tree that was suffocated with weeds so extensively that the branches grew in a helical manner. With some careful landscaping, it was beautiful to see how the tree regained vitality. It was also an important reminder of our collective power and ability to restore and transform, even in an unfamiliar situation.
We ended the day with a dip in the freshwater pond that sits near the top of the preserve and drove to our subsequent location, Koko Crater.
There, we climbed the 1,050 stairs to the summit together. We relied on each other for motivation and perseverance, especially in places where the steps where missing or eroded. After enjoying a few moments at the top, we continued down the coastline until the end of the rocks. We took a few moments to take pictures and enjoy the strengthened relationships that formed on the way up despite our sore muscles.
We climbed back to the summit and started our descent back to the ground. About midway through the stairs, we encountered a woman who fell and was in need of help. Together, we used our leadership and collaboration skills to orchestrate an emergency helicopter rescue for her with the help of the Honolulu Fire Department. The group cleared the way for fellow hikers and emergency personnel while Joey and Sadie stayed with the injured woman’s son. After a successful helicopter rescue and reunion, we enjoyed a much needed hydration and shave ice break. We also took some time to reflect on our gratitude for the safety of the group and the promptness of the emergency personnel on Oahu.
We then visited a nearby beach, where we watched the sunset, climbed near a blowhole, and crawled through a cave. The beach was incredibly beautiful, and it was a tranquil ending to a high energy day.
On the way back, we celebrated Taco Tuesday at a Mexican restaurant in Honolulu. We also enjoyed some churros and chips and salsa on the ride back.
Back at Camp Erdman, we sat together on the beach and looked at the stars and watched the waves roll onto the shore. We discussed some of the lessons that had manifested during the day that we could apply to engineering and business. Most notably, the importance of acknowledging and learning about the different cultures of the environment and people with which you are working is critically important. We are more likely to take care of land and people that we value and respect, which can be a useful principle for synergy in both our personal and professional lives.
Thank you again to the EGL Alumni, the Seth Bonder Foundation, and the College of Engineering for this incredibly enriching day and the opportunity to leverage our leadership and collaboration skills in a new environment. Speak soon!
EGL Family Abroad 