[intro music] HIKI NO, Hawai‘i's## New Wave of Storytellers.

# Aloha.

Welcome to HIKI NO on PBS# Hawai‘i.

My name is Kara Katayama.

And I'm Mathieu Saio, and we're sixth graders# at Alvah Scott Elementary School on O‘ahu.

Thanks for joining us to watch the work# of Hawai‘i's New Wave of Storytellers.

We're excited to be here to share this# episode with you.

In this episode,## you'll meet musicians, young and old,# following their passion for everything## from piano to traditional Hawaiian music.

You'll learn about one of our precious endangered## species, the Hawaiian honu, or sea turtle.

And you'll meet dedicated volunteers who## help keep our precious beaches# clean from litter and debris.

The first story we have to share was# produced at our school, Alvah Scott## Elementary on O‘ahu.

This was actually our# school's very first HIKI NO project.

In this## HIKI NO Did You Know, you'll learn all about# honu, or the Hawaiian sea turtle.

Enjoy.

Have any of you seen a honu swimming in the ocean# or sleeping on the beach?

Would you know what to## do?

All sea turtles in Hawai‘i are protected# by the Endangered Species Act.

Here are some## interesting facts you might not know.

According to# Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response, green sea turtles## get their name due to the color of their fat, not# their shell or their skin.

Also known as honu,## they are the only turtles that bask on land to# rest and regulate their temperature.

Sea turtles## have no teeth.

They have a sharp serrated# jaw that lets them tear their food.

If you## see a sea turtle on the sand at the beach,# please stay at least 10 feet away from them## to protect them.

This is Leo Hu from Alvah Scott# Elementary School for HIKI NO, on PBS Hawai‘i.

[ocean wave] Now that we captured## your attention about honu, let's learn .. piece was produced in 2014 by students at# Seabury Hall Middle School on Maui.

They## report on a virus that affects sea turtles that# is connected to man-made pollutants.

Let's watch.

The honu is a key aspect of Hawaiian culture.

You# see it in petroglyphs and stories of ‘aumakua,## the individual guardians of Hawaiian people.# In fact, green sea turtles go back over 100## million years before the dinosaurs.

But# a modern disease, fibropapilloma, or FP,## is threatening these ancient survivors.

It is# a serious virus that can sometimes be deadly.

The fibropapillomatosis was first discovered# in Kaneohe Bay in 1957, first published about## it in 1958.

But it was actually first# discovered in Florida in 1938.

You know,## imagine if you're swimming around with a big# thing on your head, something that obstructs## your vision, because that's generally# where it starts, in the posterior the eye,## and then it kind of grows elsewhere as well.

If# you see a turtle with tumors on the outside, a lot## of times they have tumors on the inside as well.

Although there's mystery surrounding the direct## cause of FP, aquatic biologists believe the# disease occurs in geographic areas that have## been compromised by man-made pollutants.

The virus, I believe, is also a condition of## the environment.

With our environment, we have# a lot more fertilizers and a lot more runoff## and things.

The tumors appear to be induced# also by a lot of nutrients.

And so, for Maui,## we've had nutrients coming from land sources# like the injection wells, as well as runoff.

While nutrients such as nitrogen may be good# for plants on land, in the water, they only## feed invasive algae and cause algae blooms.

And then so when the turtles eat the introduced## algae, they're also ingesting a lot more# nitrogen, and that may be tumor inducing.

Hau believes one solution to this growing# problem is to protect another endangered part## of our environment, the wetlands.

And that's where our wetlands## become more important, because the wetlands would# help hold back the runoff that would normally just## flow into the ocean, and the wetlands and# the recycling of nutrients and things with## plants.

And we as a community have to look where# our nutrient source is coming from and not apply## so much fertilizer.

But we're still going to# have to still address where our sewage goes.

So, what can you do to help the honu?

Learn# how to minimize your home use of fertilizers,## learn how you can help preserve Hawai‘i's# wetlands, and if you do see a turtle that seems## to be stricken with fibropapilloma, stay away.

You know, I just kind of want everybody to kind## of put yourself in the turtle's situation.# Think about, you know, if you're sick,## what do you want to happen?

You know, you# want to be able to rest.

You want to be## able to not be bothered by anything.

So really, just an overall respect for## the turtles.

If you see them swimming in the# water, don't chase after them.

If you see them## basking on the beach, don't get too close.

They're# trying to sleep, and if they're trying to sleep,## you need to really respect that.

That's it is up# to us to really help these turtles out.

You know,## if we are causing it, then it's# up to us to really help them.

This is Alex Abraham reporting# from Seabury Hall for HIKI NO.

[ocean wave] In the spirit of keeping our beautiful## beaches and land clean, this next piece is timely.# It's a story from students at Chiefess Kamakahelei## Middle School on Kaua‘i.

They profile a volunteer# led nonprofit that is dedicated to keeping one of## Kaua‘i's popular beaches in tip top shape.

We are an opportunity to pick that up and get## it out of the water so that the# ocean is a little bit cleaner.

That opportunity would be the group,# Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park,## a nonprofit organization that helps maintain# Kaua‘i's Lydgate beach by keeping it clean.## But first, let us introduce the beach# itself.

Where did the beach get its name?

John Lydgate is the grandson of Reverend John# Mortimer Lydgate, who was active at the beginning## of the 20th century.

He is the namesake of Lydgate# Beach Park.

His grandson, Dr. John Lydgate,## was also very active here in the park.

He# was often here with a rake, raking up debris,## and started the Saturday beach cleanups.

I only met John Lydgate one time, but he## was the person that had the idea of gathering# as a group of people and coming out and taking## care of this park.

From what I understand, he# loved this park.

A lot of these palm trees,## the grove of palm trees that you see are because# of him.

He was the one that rallied people to come## and start doing this.

And then as he got older and# maybe wasn't able to, he kind of passed that on,## and we're just carrying on that legacy.

Thanks to John Lydgate, he has started the## beach cleanup so that The Friends of Kamalani and# Lydgate Organization has carried on.

But what is## the cause of all of this rubbish and debris?

A lot of it is stuff that comes down the river.## We're right next to the Waialua River, so# any trees and things that maybe fall or cut,## they tend to wash down.

And because the# way the water comes, it comes around.

Our wall, as you can see, is not as high as it# used to be, so a lot of that stuff just tends## to come in now, and it washes up on the beach.

And# the more we can pick up right when it happens, you## know, it doesn't accumulate, and we can all come# out and still get in the water.

So that's huge.

With all the trash, there's so# much work to do.

But why should## others help out and attend these events?

We try to make sure that everybody feels## good about the contribution they've made to the# community's well-being and attractiveness.

So,## it's very important to us that when somebody# has spent a few hours working with us,## they feel a sense of accomplishment.

They can see# they've left the place better than they found it,## and hopefully made some new friends and feel# pleased with the course of activities that## we've set up for ourselves for the morning.

Lydgate Beach is a beautiful place for locals## and tourists to enjoy the island's beaches, and it# remains this beautiful place thanks to the Friends## of Kamalani and Lydgate Park Organization.

This is Krizelle Murray from Chiefess Kamakahelei## Middle School for HIKI NO, on PBS Hawai‘i.

[ocean wave] Let us take you back to our archives for another# memorable piece about beach preservation and the## connection between our beaches and native# plants.

This one was produced by students at## Kapolei High School on O‘ahu in 2012.

Preserving the beauty and culture of## Hawai‘i is no small feat.

You have healthy ocean,## healthy land, you have healthy people.

For Kepa Maly of the Hoakalei Cultural## Foundation, it begins with the# efforts and education of the youth.

We got the kids out, the students out, and they# did some wonderful job cleaning up some rubbish## for us.

We trimmed one of the poor little plants# that's just been struggling, endemic naio, and it## gave him an opportunity to experience first-hand# working the land and accomplishing something.

Sharaine Aquino of Kapolei High# School speaks on the trash tragedy.

It makes me feel very disappointed that I'm# part of the society and I'm like, I'm the only## ones who's seeing it, and I see people like just# throwing the trash.

I heard stories of dumping## all over the place, and it's just very sad.# So that's why I'm kind of here, helping out.## One person at a time, making a difference.# So, a good feeling after that, actually.

She also has sharp words for those who# choose not to be part of the solution.

Shame on you, because everybody will make# a difference by just picking one trash,## not even at the beach, but just like around# the environment, our surroundings our schools.

Ridding the beach of litter is only a portion of# the preservation process.

The other part involves## the protection of native plant species.

This plant, the naio, is of a variety that## is endemic to Honolulu, where we're now# standing.

It's only found in this land## division.

We have naio across the Hawaiian# Islands.

But this variety, Honouliuli.

Every native plant has its own unique value in# them, so that's why I would help preserve them.

You can actually see the little hibiscus like# yellow flower on it there.

That's a Milo.

That's## one of the old growth native trees of this# place.

These trees once were spread across## this landscape.

They cooled the land, they# nurtured the people.

The woods of the koa and## the Milo.

That blossom is rooted in one of the# traditions of this place, and it was strung into## lei that were associated with Ka‘ahupahau, the# shark goddess.

So, you got lei from it, you got## shelter.

You got beautiful wood from which they# made their ‘umeke, their calabashes, like that.

It should be important to everyone# to help preserve a culture.

[speaks Hawaiian] They know they said that,# you know, aloha ‘aina is not something that## sits on the tip of your tongue.

It's in the# actions that you do, in the work you do.

The land and sea are not the only# beneficiaries of these efforts.

You work with a group of students that's your# age, younger, but it's a way of getting new## friends and learning from different people.

For Kapolei High School and HIKI NO I'm## Jewell Atherall.

[ocean wave] Let's stay inspired with this next story from# students at Mililani Middle School on O‘ahu.

They## highlighted student volunteers who are helping# to restore ancient Hawaiian fishing areas.

[Hawaiian singing] A traditional Hawaiian blessing, which## allows students to step foot on Mokauea Island,# starts off an unusual day for Mililani Middl.. School students.

Mokauea Island is a small island# located off of Keehi Lagoon near the airport on## O‘ahu.

This historical site was an ancient fishing# area where there once were many fishponds.

Once## a year, seventh and eighth grade students# paddle to Mokauea Island for a day of work.

We're just trying to perpetuate the history of# this area, getting the kids to know the history## before they come out and work the land, getting# the kids conscious about taking care of the whole## earth.

What we like to focus on is i ka wa ma# mua, i ka wa ma hope, which is on the back of our## shirt.

That means the future is in the past, so we# have to look back at what, you know, our ancestors## laid out for us.

We're basically traveling in# the canoe.

So, we're paddling in the wake of## our ancestors, and we're walking the ‘aina.

Mililani Middle School students have been## coming to the island since 2009, doing# everything from planting native plants## they raised at school to clearing brush.

We had help from the community to just## clear this fishpond behind us, getting rid of# the mangrove.

Right now, we're just trying to## maintain the mangrove.

Maintaining plants on## the island can be a challenge.

One of the problems with being on## this island is it has no natural fresh# water.

So, part of the problems with## raising plants here is sustainability, and# one of those items is water that we need.

It doesn't rain a lot out here, but when it# rains, it's storms, it pours.

So, we just## have a little water line coming in, and we have# to pay for that water.

So, this water is going## to help us to water all of our native plants.# The water catchment system was a great idea## by Jenny Kuwahara.

She's actually Dr. Kuwahara.# She got a grant to put this up on our back room.

In our class recently, we got the opportunity# to make a water catchment designs, which would## be built and to help at Mokauea.

In our# group, each person was given a job.

So,## one person had to research the materials that we# would use and how much, because we had a budget.

UH students came, and some of the# people that worked on Mokauea came## and took a look at the designs, and they# chose the best ones out of the class.

This project is important because I think Mokauea# Island is one of the last places where in Hawai‘i,## how it used to be.

It's important, because# we're able to still hold on to the past and## show how important it is, so they can# continue with living their lifestyle.

It's always what we can do for her, not what# we can get out of her.

And we would like to be## able to keep Mokauea for all generations,# to have it as an outdoor classroom.

Yes.

This is Savannah Fernandez from# Mililani Middle School for HIKI NO.

[ocean wave] We're going to change the tune now and dive into## some musical stories.

Our next piece comes from# a student at H.P.

Baldwin High School on Maui.## You'll be swept away by his talents on the piano# in this beautifully filmed Student Reflection.

[Fur Elise plays] The piano is one of my most developed skills,## as I've done it for nearly a third of my life.

I started playing in the sixth grade, and it## stuck with me ever since.

I was inspired by the# Internet, by watching people who have mastered## the instrument.

When I saw them, I thought# they were the coolest people in the world,## and I wanted to be just like them.

This# pushed me to go and take lessons myself,## something I had never done before.

[quick piano music] At first, I did it to have fun, to have a hobby,# something to do when I was bored.

But as I played,## I learned that it can be so much more than that.# It can be something I can do when I need to vent,## feeling down, and it can even open up# possible career opportunities in the future.## To me, it's not just about playing# music, it's about improving myself## and learning from my mistakes, to become# the best version of myself and strive to## be a better player.

[piano continues] [ocean wave] Get ready for## some more tunes.

Thi.. comes from ‘Ilima Intermediate School on O‘ahu.

I joined band because my mom and sister did it,## and they made it seem really fun, really# like it wasn't a waste of your time.

Band changed Necita Salas’s life.

She# first picked up an instrument almost## two years ago as an incoming seventh# grader at ‘Ilima Intermediate School.

I wanted that connection with people.

I wanted# to be like them, to experience this whole new## world of music that I didn't even know existed.# I play the French horn.

It's actually a funny## story on why, because I originally wanted to be# percussion, and I ended up having this dream that## I was playing the French horn.

And I told Mr.# Langaman, so when I wanted to do percussion,## he was like, "No, you're doing French horn."

And# he gave me the French horn, and I tried it out,## and I like, fell in love with it.

Mr. Langaman helped make Necita## into the person that she is today.

We don't just teach music, we teach them## how to work as a team, collaboration, creativity,# and discipline.

That's the biggest thing I teach## in my band class.

[band music] It's helped me be more confident in myself,# to show myself in different ways that people## thought never existed.

It's helped me be the# person that I am today, to express myself, to## calm me in several ways.

I would be stressed out,# and then I would just come into the band room,## pick up my instrument and play whatever music# I have in front of me, and it would just calm## me down, and I can go on with my day.

Wow, she's gonna be a ball of energy,## and she is.

She's one of the hardest# workers and most dedicated band members.

Not only did Necita gain the# knowledge of music; she gained a## family comprised of fellow musicians at ‘Ilima.

I would have probably left band if it wasn't for## them, if it wasn't for the feeling that I get,# because it's just we're not actually friends,## we're a family.

We love each other# to death and back.

We wouldn't trade## each other for the world because we're# a group, we're a band, we're a family.

This is Faith Lehua-Alejandro from# ‘Ilima Intermediate School for HIKI NO.

[ocean wave] Now for a fun one from students at## Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy on Hawai‘i Island.# They decided to profile one of their teachers,## who happens to be a talented musician.

He# tells a unique story of how he found his## passion for playing Hawaiian music.

My name is Dagan Bernstein.

I’m an## educator and a musician.

I've been living in# Waimea for over 30 years now, and on Hawai‘i## Island for about 40 years altogether.

Singer Songwriter Dagan Bernstein,## who lives on the Big Island of Hawai‘i, performs# at multiple venues several times a month for## various audiences.

Finding his passion for# Hawaiian music was an interesting journey.

We didn't have TV growing up.

I grew up# in this coffee shack.

We had a record## player in the living room, and my dad had# his Beatles records and jazz records.

When I was 18, I had spent my whole life here on# this island, and so I was very eager to leave.

In Waimea, Bernstein told his story# to a live audience at a Civil Beat## storyteller’s event in March 2024.

I was getting ready to leave for college## in Oregon, and so I decided to stop by Bird’s# Audio, our beloved former local record shop to## pick up some CDs to bring with me for this new# adventure.

And like I usually did, I started## talking story with the owner, Bruce Bird.

He# checked out what I was buying, and he asked,## aren't you going to bring some Hawaiian music# with you?

So, he flipped through the Hawaiian## music rack and said, "Okay, you got to take# this one."

And that was this CD right here,## the Waimea Music Festival live album.

Little did# I know how impactful this album would be for me.

When Bernstein left home, he found# he added love for Hawaiian poetry,## history and music.

Through the mana of# Hawaiian music, Bernstein found a connection.

Over the next five years, I would spend hundreds# and hundreds of hours playing along with a full## assortment of Hawaiian music albums.

When he returned home to Hawai‘i,## his life started a new course.

After I was done with college and## had my degree and was kind of just living and# working in Oregon, of like, okay, I really want## to go home.

Like, I really miss being home.

A legend in Hawai‘i for slack key guitar,## Braddah Smitty, a member of the famous# Hawaiian music family, the Pahinui’s,## and a musician with the Sons of Hawai‘i Band,# was a lucky person for Bernstein to meet.

He really schooled me on everything,# like the songs to play, how to play them,## how to sing harmonies, how to play my ukulele.# He encouraged me to tell my story and to tell## the stories of this place.

He never created# distinctions between me and him because of my## white skin or haole background.

He understood that# love for Hawaiian music deep within me, and that## I was dedicated to perpetuating this music.

Bernstein now wishes to put positive energy## into his music in hopes that a deeper# connection will be felt for his listeners.

Music was how I connected with people in this# place.

So, when I'm playing music, I want to## just feel like I'm a part of my community, and# I want to continue being inspired and to write## songs about this place that I love and about# people and the experiences I have as, you know,## someone living here in Hawai‘i.

[Strums ukulele]# I recall the days far away from my island# home.

Playing Iz’s Hi'ilawe on my radio.

This is Finnegan LeDuc from Hawai‘i Preparatory# Academy for HIKI NO, on PBS Hawai‘i.

[ocean wave] Well, that's it for## our show.

Thank you for watching the wo.. Don't forget to follow HIKI NO on# PBS Hawai‘i on YouTube, Instagram,## and TikTok.

You can find this HIKI NO# episode and more at pbshawaii.org.

Tune in next week for more# proof that Hawai‘i students [Together] HIKI NO, can do.