Katie Aymar and Brice Murayama's summer will be remembered as the one they spent learning to appreciate Maui's natural environment.
Murayama, an 18-year-old graduate of Kamehameha Schools Maui, said his internship and experience with the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps program also made him even prouder of his Hawaiian roots.
"If you are truly proud to be Hawaiian, you will realize taking care of the land is your kuleana," he said.
The Hawaii Youth Conservations Corps drew approximately 150 students from across the state, including 19 from Maui, for a six-week internship aimed at providing insight into the Hawaiian Islands' environmental issues as well as boosting leadership and team building skills. Students worked in teams and had opportunities to learn from mentors in various professional fields such as a horticulturist, biologist and field technician.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kamehameha Schools were two of the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps' major sponsors this year.
Aymar, 17 and now a senior at King Kekaulike High School, said she especially enjoyed visiting Kahoolawe, the former military target bombing isle, and Auwahi, a remnant native dryland forest on the south slope of East Maui. On Kahoolawe, the Youth Conservation Corps workers did what they could to rid the area of invasive plants and species. At Auwahi, they replanted approximately 600 native plants as part of a reforestation project.
Murayama took a step further with the Auwahi project and wrote a report about the area for the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps, earning him his first three college credits. He's headed this fall to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where he plans to major in agriculture and specialize in tropical horticulture.
"I thought it was a really fun summer, and I encourage more of Hawaii's youth to join," Murayama said.
While the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps program has closed for the summer, a similar internship called Pono Pacific has begun to accept applications from individuals between the ages of 18 and 30. For more information, call (808) 735-1221.
Participants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applications are due by Oct. 31, with the internships to begin in November. As with the Conservation Corps' summer program, Pono Pacific attempts to put young adults in touch with Hawaii's environment and issues affecting resources while teaching leadership, teamwork and work ethic, and providing exposure to various organizations throughout the state.
Aymar said she was first drawn to the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps program when representatives from the nonprofit agency based in Honolulu did a presentation at her school.
She said she was and is still set on studying art after high school. The only thing different is that she now wants to incorporate environmental issues into her college career. She said she's become more conscious of the need to conserve water and treat the island's natural resources with more respect.
"You just can't be wasteful," she said.
She said she's always been interested in animals and nature, but not until after her summer experience has she seriously considered taking an active stance.
For example, she's suggested to her family members that they grow native Hawaiian plants in their backyard, and she's interested in either joining a hiking group at her school or starting a new environmental or soil club at King Kekaulike.
Youth Conservation Corps leaders Makoto Asing and Jared Davis said they were impressed by the enthusiasm and energy of the Maui participants - some still in high school and others in the early part of their college careers.
"I have to say after seeing the camaraderie and support they gave one another. . . . I knew I couldn't have asked for a better team for the summer," Asing said.
"I am very proud of the students' hard work and motivation throughout this summer," Davis added. "They have gained knowledge of the land and ways to take care of it."
Applications for next summer's Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps program will be accepted beginning in February. There is no cost to the program, although
selected students were asked to send in a $200 deposit. Upon completion, students receive a $1,000 stipend and their $200 deposit is returned to them.
Established in 1971 by Congress, the Youth Conservation Corps is operated by the National Park Service around the country. Information can be found online at www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/youthprograms/ycc.htm.
The Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps has operated its summer program for eight years and provides other kinds of internships. For information, go to www.hawaiiycc.com/.
* Claudine San Nicolas can be reached at claudine@mauinews.com.
