Program one: The wayfinder
Focus on Cultural and Ocean Sustainability
Our first program, is a story of Polynesia — the islands, the Pacific, the people. No others are as fierce in the face of struggle. They sailed the open seas for centuries, finding their way without instruments to discover new lands and grow the largest nation on earth. Their most recent achievement: navigating the oceans of a modern world threatened by climate change to share a message of hope and sustainability. Along the way they inspired a new generation of wayfinders. Our story is about one of them.
Meet Kekua: The Wayfinder
Ever since stepping on board a sailing canoe as a young child, Kekua has been drawn to the sea. A vibrant 16-year-old, she dreams of sailing in the wake of her ancestors and spends every free minute on the water. We follow her journey as she learns the ancient art of wayfinding and discovers tools that will help her navigate the future of her islands – and the voyage of her life.
Nonprofit Partners
POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY (PVS)
CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL (CI)
Founded in 1973 on a legacy of Pacific Ocean exploration, PVS perpetuates the of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for their natural and cultural environments.
Building upon a foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, global biodiversity, and the well-being of humanity. CI Hawai'i merges traditional knowledge with Western conservation tools and strategies.
Program Components
VR Films
Kekua’s Wayfinder story
Ocean Environment
Interactive Web Portal/App
Educational games and activities
Cross-cultural exchange & social networking Making movies
Classroom Curriculum
Interdisciplinary lessons related to the program content and based on frameworks in Global Competence, Social Studies and Science