Much of the learning for this year's summer internship was in hana. The interns were exposed to the true meaning of aloha aina in the current social climate. I think for many of them, getting a realistic and accurate vision of what aloha aina organizations do encouraged them to consider reasons why they should continue to do this type of hana.

 

This internship pushed them in many ways and allowed them to see the sacrifices people make to care for a place firsthand, whether it means giving up hours of the day, going home filthy, waking up with sore bodies, getting scolded for not doing a job a certain way, and letting go of the individual wants to succeed as a team. Not only were they forced to make their own sacrifices, they saw firsthand some examples of how our community leaders sacrifice so much of their energy as well.

 

It must have been worth it for them. We watched them grow as a individuals into a cohesive unit who genuinely enjoy being with each other in the challenges they faced day-to-day. Our interns regularly choose to spend their free time at the space, and I think that speaks volumes for their learning outcomes. Our interns have working knowledge in making fires, weed wacking, lashing makaha, leading and working with groups, facilitating tours, holoholo (fishing), kilo-ing, and so much more. I feel confident knowing that our interns were exposed to the true lifestyle of a kia'i loko i'a.