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Section Four: Science Fair Themes - Ka Wā ‘Akahi
[next: Section Five: Science Fair Projects]

Lines 1-14
Cycles, Weather, Geology

1. Ka Lua Pele
   • do a comparison study (display of the creation stories and relate them to the scientific data as to how volcanoes are formed; explore which creation story(s) “follow” scientific theory.
   • Pele
   • The story of Papa and Wākea (Earth mother and Sky Father)
     
     
2. The Moon Phases
   • affects on farming
   • affects on fishing
   • affects on the tides
   • affects on people’s behavior
     
     
3. Tides and Currents
   • water quality
   • currents and marine debris
   • tide charts and its accuracy with relationship to a particular area.
     
4. The Sun
   • mo‘olelo: Maui and the Sun
   • rising and setting relating to the solstices
   • global warming
   • effects of UV rays; melanoma study (skin cancer)
   • the effectiveness of various sun blocks on preventing sunburn
     
5. Seasons
• kauwela and kau ho‘oilo; wet and dry seasons in relationship to our location; the “tropics”
  
  
6. Weather and Climate
   • What are the factors that affect our weather and climate here in Hawai‘i
   • Meteorology and culture; wind / rain patterns; how the physical environment affects our weather; explore the names given to various winds and rains and the possible reasons behind those names.

Lines 15-34
Nā Kāheka: Tidepools

1. Nā Kā‘ei Kai: Tidal Zones
• habitat of marine life within the various tidal zones; adaptations of these
  animals surviving in these areas.
  
  
2. Ka ‘Āpapa; Coral Reef Study
   • life cycle; growth of; polyps
   • varieties
   • coral bleaching
   • medicinal value: Hawaiian sponges are currently being studied to see the effect it has on fighting off tumors and malaria.
   • effects of global warming
   • effects of run-off
   • study of native species of marine life as well as other species
   • hazardous marine animals
     
     
3. Marine Life
   • limu
   • sea urchins (‘ina, wana)
   • tidal shellfish
   • tidal fish
   • life cycles (some move from ocean to brackish water)
   • varieties and uses
   • anatomy / morphology
   • symbiotic and parasitic relationships
   • food chain/web
     
     
4. Loko i‘a: Fishponds
   • construction of; model; purpose of the mākāhā
   • aquaculture and stocking the pond; maintenance of; water quality most efficient for quality produce.
     
     
5. How does the tide affect animals in a tidepool?
• movement: do they rise and fall with the tide?
  
  
6. Comparison study:
   • Kāheka------Waokele; Tidepool-----Rainforest
     

Lines 35-111
Relationship Between Land and Ocean

1. Limu
   • variety
   • morphology
   • medicinal value
   • limu restoration
   • frequently found limu by island/district
   • limu gathering / preparation
   • limu as a composting medium; monitoring decomposition rate: what type is best? what variety breaks down fastest? type of limu used in compost to grow specific plants...
     
     
2. Grasses and Vines in Comparison to limu/Kumulipo
   
   
3. Limu morphology in comparison to land plant
   • root system
   • reproduction and life cycle
     
     
4. Mahi Limu: Limu Farming
• how water quality and temperature affect growth
  
  
5. Plant Cycle
   • limu
   • land plants ma uka, ma kai
   • photosynthesis of ocean and land plants
     
     
6. Dye Making Using Limu
   • Chemical composition of specific colors yielded
   • color fastness; salt vs. vinegar as a mordant in limu dyes

Lines 112-122
Wai: Water

1. The Water Cycle
• water quality: environmental, natural, and man-made conditions that affect it.
  
  
2. Nā Wahi Pana
• traditional names of coastal areas
  
  
3. Kalo
   • wet and dry land
   • difference/similarities in methods, production, and yields
     
     
4. Water Systems (are ecosystems) and how they thrive
   • kahawai
   • lokowai
   • kai/kāheka
   • loko i‘a (fishpond)
   • mahi i‘a (aquaculture system)
     
     
5. Types of Water
   • kai
   • pūnāwai (spring)
   • brackish
     
     
6. Water sources: Creating Environmental Conditions to Support Their Survival
   • artesian well
   • spring

Lines 123-131
Ke Kai Hohonu: The Deep Ocean

1. Channels Between the Hawaiian Islands
• current flows and wind patterns; names and significance
  
  
2. Pollution and Strip Mining
   • toxic waste
   • manganese nodules
     
     
3. Ka Ho‘okele ‘Ana: Navigation
   • by day; swells - pitch and troughs
   • weather watch
   • cloud formations
   • wind and current patterns
   • sea birds
   • kilo hōkū (astronomy)
     
     
4. Nā Wa‘a: Canoes
   • the physics of canoe building
   • sleekness for speed as compared to a porpoise’s body
   • floatation considerations
   • stability and weight
   • purpose: how it will be used
   • types
   • racing- flatwater
   • voyaging, long distance canoe
   • wa‘a kaukahi, kaulua, ko‘okani (one man), ko‘olua, 4-man, 6-man
   • building material used and why

*Kilo hōkū references also found in Kumulipo: wā ‘Umikūmāhā lines 1849-1929.

Lines 132-166
Nā I‘a: Fishes

1. Deep Sea Fishes
   • types
   • life stages/cycles
   • feeding habits
     
     
2. Marine Mammals
• migration patterns
  
  
3. Plankton
   • types
   • location; abundance of
     
     
4. Ocean Zones and Marine Life Swelling in Those Zones
   
   
5. Food Chain/Webs
   
   
6. Nocturnal vs. Diurnal Characteristics of Fishes
   
   
7. Scientific Classifications of Animals
• study by group/characteristics
  
  
8. Fishing Seasons
• laws and regulations; reasons for seasons
  
  
9. Life Cycles of Native Fish and Other Marine Life

Lines 167-252
Marine Animal Life

1. Land Life vs. Ocean Life
   • comparison study: Coral Reef - Native Forest
   • prey
   • predators
   • food supply/food chain

Lines 256-272
Oceanography

1. Contour outline map of reef located:
   • around the island
   • around the island chain
     
     
2. Channels Between the Hawaiian Islands
   
   
3. Water Salinity Tests
   • in various areas around the island
   • local coastline
   • does salinity affect organisms living there?
     
     
4. Wave Measurement
   1. wave types
      
      
5. He‘e Nalu (surfing)
   • catching a wave; what type of board would work best/why?
   • surfing canoes

End Section Four

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