Executive Summary: The "Protecting Our Ocean Friends - Hi Monk Seals" initiative aims to educate kindergartners and their families about the impact of plastic waste on ocean life, focusing on the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Through hands-on activities, observations, and community engagement, this program will foster a sense of responsibility and compassion for our marine environment, empowering young participants to make a difference in their communities.
Project Objectives: Raise Awareness: Educate families about the importance of protecting Hawaiian monk seals and the threat posed by plastic waste. Involve the Community: Engage families in active observation and reporting of monk seal behavior and habitat. Encourage Environmental Responsibility: Instill habits of recycling and mindful consumption among participants. Promote Conservation Practices: Teach participants how to behave responsibly around monk seals and other wildlife. Project Activities: Coastal Observation Assignments: Description: Each family will be assigned a strip of coastline and encouraged to invite additional friends to join their exploration. Outcome: Families will observe monk seals\' resting and swimming patterns, contributing to a chart of their findings in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response Organization. Organized Beach Clean-Up: Description: Family-led beach clean-up events will collect plastic waste, enabling participants to identify and categorize the types of plastics washing ashore. Outcome: A \"Plastic Waste Audit\" chart will be created to visualize the findings and raise awareness about plastic pollution. Awareness Campaign: Description: Families will create informative signs advocating for a respectful distance from resting monk seals, emphasizing the slogan: “Help Preserve the Hawaiian Monk Seal, Let Sleeping Seals Lie.” Outcome: Participants will learn about responsible behavior around wildlife, prompting discussions with beachgoers, surfers, and dog owners. Course of Action Posters: Description: After completing the observations and clean-up, each student will design a “Shimajiroo Mottainai” sign in Japanese, outlining their proposed changes regarding plastic waste and its impact on marine life. Outcome: These posters will serve as personal commitments to environmental stewardship and awareness. Celebration and Recycling Effort: Description: Host a culminating event where families are invited to share their findings, ideas, and create a recycling effort using reusable plates and cups. Outcome: Celebrate the achievements and reinforce the importance of ongoing environmental responsibility. Expected Impact: This initiative will provide kindergartners and their families with a foundational understanding of marine conservation efforts. By directly engaging with their environment, community members will develop a commitment to protecting endangered species like the Hawaiian monk seal while reducing plastic pollution. The collaborative effort will cultivate an ongoing culture of conservation and environmental stewardship.
