Blog & Updates
Stories, insights, and reflections from our Princeton students as they engage with Native Hawaiian communities and learn about Indigenous justice.
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Washington Place and Umeke Lāʻau: A Powerful Beginning
Our first full day in Honolulu brought us to Washington Place and the Umeke Lāʻau art installation, where we engaged with Hawaiian communities on a personal level and meaningfully kickstarted our summer program.
Mele Barton
Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi: Planting Kalo and Understanding ʻĀina
At Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi farm, we learned that kalo is not just a crop—it is an ancestor. The experience taught us about the deep relationship between Hawaiians and the land that feeds them.
Vaishnavi Murthy
Hui o Koʻolaupoko: Watershed Management and Community
Volunteering with Hui o Koʻolaupoko taught us about native plants, wildlife, and the importance of community collaboration in environmental restoration efforts.
Isaac Bernstein
Iolani Palace: A Symbol of Sovereignty and Resilience
Visiting Iolani Palace, the only official royal residence in the United States, reminded us that history is never neutral and that the palace stands as a powerful symbol of Hawaiian sovereignty.
Elsa Goebel-Bain
Kamehameha Day Lei Draping: Honoring Ancestral Legacy
Witnessing the Kamehameha Day lei draping ceremony was a profound honor, showing us how cultural practices serve as living symbols of resilience and resistance.
Ruxandra Iosif
The "No Kings" Protest: Hawaii's Complex Relationship with the U.S.
Walking through the "No Kings" protest in Honolulu revealed Hawaii's unique history and the ongoing tensions between Hawaiian sovereignty and U.S. governance.
Vaishnavi Murthy & Natalie Gelman
Ka Hale Pa'i: The Printing House and Hawaiian Language
At Ka Hale Pa'i, we learned about the creation of the Hawaiian alphabet and the translation of the Bible into Native Hawaiian, witnessing the intersection of missionary work and cultural preservation.
Natalie Gelman & Mele Barton
Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi: Planting Huli and Building Community
Our day at Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi was not just physical labor—it was a lesson in respect, intention, and community building through traditional farming practices.
Ella Weber
Mamala Maunalua: Restoring Native Ecosystems
Volunteering with Mamala Maunalua to remove invasive algae taught us about the urgent need for environmental restoration and the impacts of climate change on native species.
Isaac Bernstein
Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau: Standing in Sacred Space
Visiting Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau reminded us that history is embedded in life, land, and cultural practices that refuse to disappear, challenging our assumptions about learning.
Elsa Goebel-Bain
Waiʻanae Mountains: Pūpūkea to Waikāne Forest Reserve
Hiking the Waiʻanae Mountains took us from Pūpūkea to Waikāne Forest Reserve, where we learned about native plant restoration and the importance of mauka-to-makai connectivity.
Isaac Bernstein & Ella Weber
Welcome to Pono Pathways
Learn about our mission, values, and the transformative experiences that await participants in our program.
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Showing 12 of 12 posts
More posts coming soon as our students continue their journey!