First "Navigating My Course" Science and Conservation Career Workshop for Young Women at Kaʻena Point a Success

Ornithologist Lindsay Young banding a Laysan Albatross with Navigating My Course participant. Credit: Ruth Limtiaco

From January 14–16, 2012, eleven young women from schools across Oʻahu including Moanalua HS, Waiʻanae HS, James Campbell HS, Mililani HS, and La Pietra had the opportunity to have a hands on, placed based learning experience led by six women actively working in conservation and science in Hawaiʻi. The three day course included native plant restoration led by Kim Welsch of the Oʻahu Army Natural Resources Program, albatross banding and bolus examination led by Lindsay Young of the Kaʻena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project, celestial navigation and traditional wayfinding led by Nahaku Kalei, a Watch Captain aboard Hōkūleʻa and Navigator in Training with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Additional female mentors included Kelly Gleason of ONMS/PMNM, Rhonda Suka of the NOAA Pacific Services Center, and Marcie Grabowski of UH/SOEST. The young women put their hands on learning to use during a hike to Kaʻena point where they were able to identify plants, limu, observe albatross and participate in banding a Laysan albatross. Mentors guided the young women through an exercise to map out their future goals through the use of "sail plans" to help them organize and timeline their journey. Goals of this first iteration of Navigating My Course included developing a network between young women and females working in science and conservation in Hawaiʻi, inspiring young women to think about their career goals, gauging future potential, and developing opportunities for the young women to share and interact with thier mentors as we worked side by side and lived together for three days.

For more information contact Kelly Gleason at kelly.gleason@noaa.gov or Matt Limtiaco at matthew.limtiaco@noaa.gov.

ʻŌhai planting along the north coast at Kaʻena Point. Credit: Kelly Gleason

Nahaku Kalei introducing celestial navigation to Navigating My Course participants. Credit: Kelly Gleason