About the Project

This project performed an in-depth characterization of surface and groundwater flow throughout Heʻeia to inform biocultural restoration and future groundwater management. Building on previous conceptual understandings, the project team modeled surface and groundwater flow within Heʻeia. The project’s collaborative process was essential to this work and included the convenings of a project advisory group and intended users (named Hui WAI). Iterative Hui WAI meetings shaped the project from its beginning to end, through the co-development of the proposal and research methods to its culminating workshops, and outputs. This process enhanced communication and relationships among investigators, resource managers, educators and helped build collective knowledge of the ways WAI links biocultural restoration projects at partner sites.

About this Resource

This set of lesson plans provides curricular support for teachers scheduling a visit to Heʻeia Fishpond. The lessons feature the role of water in the Heʻeia ahupuaʻa, and highlight different aspects of water. They were co-written by Heʻeia NERR staff and Paepae o Heʻeia ʻāina educators and piloted by education programs at partner sites and in Teachers of the Estuary (TOTE) workshops.

Fresh Floats, Salt Sinks¹

Learn about the different buoyancies of wai (fresh water) and kai (salt water) and how that may affect how they mix in the muliwai (estuary). This lesson plan includes a demonstration of dynamics within an estuary.

Ahupuaʻa in a Bucket²

Learn how water moves throughout an ahupuaʻa above and below ground, and how the diversion of water through tunnels and wells affects the hydrology and ecosystems. This lesson plan includes a demonstration to illustrate the role of dike structures in storing water in Heʻeia’s mountains and the hydrological cycle. Resource coming soon!

Wai-Kai Challenge³

Explore the meeting of wai (fresh water) and kai (salt water) in the muliwai (estuary) and learn about their respective roles in creating a healthy and productive loko iʻa (fishpond). This lesson plan includes an activity to make a brackish water solution with a specific salinity using wai and kai sources found at the loko iʻa.