How to develop a Hawaiʻi Blue Schools Hui action project

Develop an action project to engage your students in a stewardship activity that will lead to improved health of your local ahupua’a and marine ecosystem.

Your project plan should answer these questions:

• How will community partnerships enhance the project? 

• How will projects continue after participating in the funding period? 

• What Ocean Literacy Principles will the project focus on and how will students show their understanding and impact? 

• How will community members be involved? 

• How will field based/ hands-on learning be incorporated? 

• How many community members will this project reach?

6 steps to a successful action project

1. Create an objective or goal for the project and individuals involved.

2. List tasks and actions that will be taken to complete project goals.

3. Set a timeline to accomplish goals.

4. List all resources needed to complete an action project, including equipment and project partners.

5. Allocate tasks and responsibilities to participants.

6. Anticipate and plan for potential setbacks.

Successful action projects have included:

• Stenciling “drains to XXX Bay” labels on storm drains 

• Mapping local ahupua’a and creating Public Service Announcements in English and Hawaiian to educate the public about the ahupua’a 

• Researching sustainable products and changing the types of items sold in school stores 

• Working on a “skip the straw” campaign with local businesses 

• Collaborating with local parks departments to improve recycling and refuse bins to prevent litter from entering waterways