NAWILIWILI — The marine community and reef ecosystems got a boost when the Young Brothers Community Advisory Board presented a $500 grant to Kula School this week. “We are thrilled that organizations such as Young Brothers as well as many of
NAWILIWILI — The marine community and reef ecosystems got a boost when the Young Brothers Community Advisory Board presented a $500 grant to Kula School this week.
“We are thrilled that organizations such as Young Brothers as well as many of our other generous benefactors have made a commitment to promoting education about our vital ocean and reef ecosystems on Kaua‘i,” said Captain Paul Clark, a Kula School marine science teacher as well as president of Save Our Seas, in a prepared statement.
Clark said the funds from the YB CAB will combine with Snorkel Bob Foundation, a nonprofit organization for reef defense, to acquire equipment such as snorkels, fins and masks for the students. Snorkel Bob provides the school with special pricing for the equipment.
Clark heads the SOS Ocean Pulse Marine Science program at Kula Elementary, Intermediate and High School.
During the project-based learning, students in grades K-7 and grade 10 at Kula survey coral reef organisms and study coral reef ecology, symbiosis, classification and species identification, the press release states.
Digital cameras and laptop computers are used to create inter-active presentations and provides information about the health of the reefs and promotes a positive direction for other ocean communities to follow.
Clark said on the students’ snorkeling outings, they also do clean up of the marine environment as needed. Most of the students’ work centers around ‘Anini Beach, a popular gathering spot for both residents and visitors.
“With the biggest issues in global news being climatic change, renewable energy and rising sea levels, it is projects like these that show how ecosystems change over time and can provide a positive role model for other coastal communities,” Clark said.
Ocean Pulse with SOS at Kula has been at the school since 1996 and is the longest running reef education program of its type in the nation.
Through the CAB grants, YB and Hawaiian Tug & Barge has supported numerous community needs over the years.
YB CAB exist for the counties of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i and Maui, and since its inception in 2001, has contributed $337,000 to more than 100 nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
“It is highly valuable for professional community members and businesses like Young Brothers that support the intellectual development of students by introducing them to the natural world and preparing them for futures in science,” Clark said.
Communities can work together to support physical growth by allowing students to explore outdoor, experimental “living classrooms,” the coral reefs and coasts of our world, he said.
