Hawaiʻi Blue Schools Celebrated at National Geographic/Prada Film Screening

On the evening of May 9, 2026, students, educators, and community members gathered at Waikalua Loko I’a, a historic fishpond in Kāneʻohe, O'ahu, for a free public screening and celebration of the Hawaiʻi Blue Schools Hui's work. The rain held off until nearly the end of the event, and the setting, a large lawn alongside the fishpond, made for an unforgettable backdrop.

The centerpiece of the evening was the premiere screening of “Stewards of the Ocean: Hawaiʻi,” the second episode of the 2026 Prada Re-Nylon campaign produced by National Geographic CreativeWorks. The film showcases how the Hawaiʻi Blue Schools Hui supports teachers in weaving ocean learning into their curriculum, connecting preK–12 students with local community partners and the rich cultural legacy of Hawaiʻi’s relationship with the sea. The campaign is part of SEA BEYOND, a global ocean education initiative by Prada Group in partnership with UNESCO. Watch the film here.

The event was hosted by the Pacific American Foundation (PAF), a Blue School partner of Ka'ōhao Charter School, at their Waikalua Loko I'a site, which PAF CEO Kapono Ciotti describes as an 'āina-based community classroom. The film features elementary students and teachers from Ka'ōhao working alongside Titouan Bernicot, a Prada SEA BEYONDer, learning about the creatures of Kāne'ohe Bay and helping install a mākāhā sluice gate at the fishpond.

The Hawaiʻi Blue Schools Hui is led by the University of Hawaiʻi and Oceania, the local chapter of NMEA, with support from Hawaiʻi Sea Grant. The Hui is facilitated by Joanna Philippoff, PhD, director of UH Mānoa's Marine Option Program, and Anuschka Faucci, PhD, of Leeward Community College. Together, they lead monthly teacher workshops that highlight current ocean science and support schools in developing place-based, culturally grounded curricula. The evening featured remarks and a Q&A that gave attendees a window into the Hui's work and vision.

The event also drew local media attention. Hawaiʻi News Now aired a segment the evening before the screening, bringing additional visibility to the Blue Schools program and its community partnerships. Watch the Hawaiʻi News Now segment here.

The Hawaiʻi Blue Schools Hui is a regional group of USA Blue Schools and the Blue School Global Network, coordinated by UNESCO. Its work reflects the best of what NMEA member communities do: grounding students in local place and culture, building genuine ocean literacy, and creating the next generation of ocean stewards.

To learn more about the Hawaiʻi Blue Schools Hui and USA Blue Schools, visit usablueschools.org.