Ka Papa Kai

Ka Papa Kai is a unique, outdoor program designed for students in grades four and up that teaches marine science through fun, hands-on lessons and activities designed to educate and inspire ocean stewardship. Classes are held on-site at Kapo‘o and take place two Saturdays per month March through June for our Winter/Spring program, and five days in July for our Summer program.

Topics include:

• Ahupua‘a - Mauka to Makai Resource Management

• Marine Science and the Intertidal Habitat

• Coral Ecology

• Species Identification: Fish, Invertebrates, Limu

• Endangered Monk Seals, Whales, Turtles, and Dolphins

• Nearshore Ecosystem Threats and Solutions

• Native Hawaiian Plant Coastal Restoration

• Fishing Rules, Regulations & Lawai‘a Pono Practices

• Ocean Safety…and much more!

In ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language), Ka Papa Kai roughly translates to “The Seaside Class”. It can also mean “The Reef of the Sea.” The kaona (hidden meaning) of the term implies learning about the sea while being at the sea. So many children in Hawai‘i today don’t get an opportunity to learn hands-on about marine science. Ka Papa Kai is a fun way to both learn about and help steward our fragile marine resources.

Click here to watch our short video about Ka Papa Kai. It was made for a grant proposal to the Ananda Fund, and we got it!

Fliers announcing open registration for Ka Papa Kai sessions are posted on our Instagram and Facebook pages. To get on an email list for announcements, please email us at mpweducation@gmail.com.

Ka Papa Kai Holo

Holo means “to go; to flow,” like the movement of water.

Ka Papa Kai Holo is our mobile and on-site educational experience designed for visiting groups of all ages—elementary, middle, and high school students; college programs; community groups; and adult learners. Whether you bring your group to Kapo‘o or invite us into your classroom, Ka Papa Kai Holo offers short, immersive, half-day (or shorter) lessons that connect participants to the shoreline ecosystem through hands-on learning and place-based education.

Programs can be tailored to any of the topics listed above, and we’re always happy to customize content to meet your group’s goals, grade level, or curriculum needs. These experiences are ideal for school field trips, visiting educational programs, service groups, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Hawai‘i’s nearshore environments with a focus on cultural and ecological responsibility. Please note: Ka Papa Kai Holo is an educational program only — we do not take participants snorkeling. However, visiting groups are welcome to stay after the lesson and enjoy the area on their own, if ocean conditions permit.

For groups unable to join us in person—or for classrooms beyond O‘ahu—we also offer a series of Ka Papa Kai virtual lessons via Zoom. These interactive online sessions bring the tidepools, cultural knowledge, and stewardship practices directly to you, no matter where you're located.

To inquire about any of our Ka Papa Kai Holo offerings, please email mpweducation@gmail.com.