Koʻolaupoko Stewardship Academy

Explore the relationship between humans and nature through the lens of photography. Develop your skill set and ethic as a photographer and learn how to use photography as a tool for advocacy and impact, while adding to your portfolio.

Tues/Thurs.

Grade 9-12.

Work to maintain edible plants in the garden beds on LJA's campus! Students will take an active role in planning, planting, and caring for the plants from seed to harvest. This care will include establishing healthy soil, defending from pests, and watering Monday-Friday, and eventually- harvesting fruits and vegetables as they become ripe!

*Limit: 3 Students (until Garden has become more developed)

Thurs. only.

Grade 9-12.

Since 2020, Green Team has worked to further our schoolʻs goal to be a more sustainable institution. Green initiatives, environmental activism, and a robust recycling program are just a few of the Green Team engagements.

Students in this project will help establish and build a traditional Hale on campus. Under the guidance of Kanaloa Bishop, a Native Hawaiian cultural practioner, students will learn traditional Hale building techniques as well as the cultural importance of Hale.

Tues/Thurs.

Grade 8-12.

*8th Grade students interested in joining this project will need to be approved by Ex. Ed. Team.

Student volunteers restore native species and endangered endemic flora, clean up debris, and remove invasive plants in Hāmākua Marsh; HS students become trained site docents to lead educational activities with younger students.

*Off-Campus

Thurs. only.

Grade 9-12. Students must be able to drive or transport themselves and must will work with the Ex. Ed. Team on Off-Campus privileges

Student-led community farming project with the goal of providing consistent food and fresh produce for Hui Mahiʻai Aina, a houseless community shelter in Waimanalo.

*Thursdays Only. Participation will require special permission from the deans.

Grade 9-12.

Students who are part of KSC will receive hands-on experience in conservation work, and learn place-based knowledge, technical skills, and leadership through work at various conservation, restoration, and agriculture sites. This will involve commitments on weekends for community workdays, guest speakers, and potential weekend-long activities.  Additionally, KSC students will lead the ongoing management of Kahanaiki, a restoration site and agroforestry project in Kawainui Marsh that includes ongoing development and maintenance of a community garden space, care for native species and food plants, removal of invasives, and the organization and execution of regular volunteer work days for the community.

Tues/Thurs.

Grade 9-12.

Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi is a community-based non-profit organization based in the ahupuaʻa of Heʻeia, moku of Koʻolaupoko, island of Oʻahu. With the support of the local community, Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi acquired a 38-year lease agreement with the State of Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) to implement Māhuahua ʻAi o Hoi (Regrowing the Fruit of Hoi), a long-range project to restore agricultural and ecological productivity to nearly 405-acres within the wetlands of Heʻeia. Through their cultural, educational and ecosystem restoration programs, Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi is promoting the social and economic advancement of the local community.

Thurs. only. Must have own transportation.

Grade 9-12.

Started in early 2021 by LJA Faculty and High School students, Kipuka Palaʻa is an ongoing native forest restoration site on LJAʻs campus. This grassroots efforts is actively removing invasive species that populate much of our schoolʻs adjacent forest and has been re-introducing native plants.

Tues/Thurs.

Grade 9-12.

Public art can act as a binding agent in communities. The mural team works to address areas on campus that might need some spicing up! Past projects include furniture, walls, and mobile murals.

Tues/Thurs.

Grade 9-12.

Students remove invasive species, restore native ecosystems and help with the ongoing restoration of a native loko iʻa (fishpond) at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine, a wetland site in Kawainui Marsh that has a long history of cultural significance to Native Hawaiians.

Tues/Thurs.

Grade 9-12.

Students in Pono Popoki will explore the root causes of stray and free-roaming domestic animals (cats and dogs) in Hawaii and their impacts on fragile ecosystems. Work will include caring for the cats on LJA’s campus, TNR (trap, neuter, and return), engaging in outreach and awareness, and organizing and running school-wide and community events. Pono Popoki members will be exposed to this issue outside of our LJA campus and will work with community partners.

Tues/Thurs.

Grade 6-12.

Ulu Niu is a relatively new restoration project that was started by class of 2025 students. The space currently has a native plant and pollinator garden as well as a trail that leads down to Kahanaiki. Work at this site may include trail infrastructure improvement, signage creation, native plant restoration, and the building of a nature-based learning area.

Tues/Thurs.

Grade 8-12.

Wild Blocks: Conceived through the desire to offer students more time in nature (the majority of a typical day is spent indoors), this program works with Primary School students K-5 in the forest throughout the week (during school) and engages in nature-based play, innovation, and creative problem solving *During the school day (Starts in Sept.)

Wild Kids After School: After school for two hours we explore the land adjacent to Le Jardin Academy’s campus and enjoy mudslides, scavenger hunts, hiking, tree climbing, making up games, building shelters, creating nature-based art, camouflage activities, scouting for trails, tracking birds, and searching for the magical forest elves known as ""Little Greenies."

*After School (Starts Sept. 5th)

Commitment: Students must commit at least 3 hours a week. Interested students should work with the Experiential Education Team to make their schedule.

Grade 6-12.