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SCHOOL PROGRAMS
We apologize, at this time we are fully booked until the Fall seamster. If you would like to inquire about Fall reservations, please email us at himbcep@hawaii.edu in July 2023.
The Center of Community Education at HIMB offers a unique opportunity geared for elementary to intermediate school groups to explore Moku o Loʻe for walking tours and/or hands-on labs.
All programing is scheduled from 9am to 12:30pm.
All programs require signed waiver forms and program fees (cash or check will be the day of trip.) POs are accepted but must be notified to the program in advance.
School Size & Transportation
CCE is able to accommodate schools from 5 to 24 participants. Small groups are considered 12 or less. While large groups are 13 - 24 participants. Small groups will be meeting at Lilipuna Pier, with no boat fee.. Large groups must take our large research education vessel, The Ka Noelo Kai, from Heʻeia Kea Boat for a transportation fee of $175.
Safety Protocol
Due to safety considerations, children and students must be 5 years of age and up to participate in the Community Education Walking Tours and programs. All participants need to be able to climb in and out of small boats, up and down several pier steps, navigate one to two small hills, walk on uneven paved and non-paved pathways, and for the walking tours, complete the entire ~ 1 mile tour at the pace of the group they are with.
How to Book a Hawaiʻi K-8th School Reservation:
Operation hours for scheduling are: Weekdays from 9am to 12:30pm
1. Plan for a weekday trip for your K-8th Grade Group
2. Ensure transportation to Kāneʻohe is arrange for desired date (vans, busses, chaperones)
3. Fill out HI K-8th School Request Form attached below
4. Submit Request Form to himbcep@hawaii.edu email
5. Patiently wait for a response from staff :)
HI High School Inquiry:
Our program specifically focuses on family and community based opportunities including tours and lab expedition, designed for the general public as well as elementary and intermediate grade levels.
If you are interested in a more structured circular based lab experience for your high school group, we would recommend that you reach out to our sister program KeaoaLoʻe Lab - Science Inquiry Education Programs. You can fill out their inquiry form (which also includes a list of available modules) to start your reservation with them.
SCHOOL FEES (24 max pax)

Hawaiʻi School Fees
Walking Tours:
$100 for up to 20 participants, $5/additional participant
Expedition to Moku o Loʻe (labs):
$125 for up to 20 participants, $6/additional participant
Roundtrip Large (13+) Vessel Fee: $175
Out-of-State/In-State Non-Credit Groups
Walking Tours:
$75/group of up to 3 participants, $25/additional participant
Expedition to Moku o Loʻe (labs):
$175 for up to 20 participants, $17/additional participant
Roundtrip Large (13+) Vessel Fee: $250
EXPEDITION TO MOKU O LOʻE:
LABS
Geared towards grades 4th and above for a hands-on learning experience. Students become marine biologists on this 3-hour program consisting of common research techniques used in Kāneʻohe Bay, followed by a short visit showcasing some highlighted research stations.
There are 2 labs available to choose from, an invasive limu (algae) and invertebrate lesson or a zooplankton microscope lab.
Plankton Lab
As our visiting marine biologists, each class will collect their own plankton sample by deploying a plankton net from our large education, research vessel, the Ka Noelo Kai, and tow through Kāneʻohe Bay on route to Moku o Loʻe.
Once arriving, the students make their way to our Marine Science Research Learning Center where they observe the species under a microscope. Students will explore the Kāneʻohe Bay Plankton Field Guides to identify the different species of zooplankton found in the sample. Students learn to sketch scientifically by drawing commonly found zooplankton such as copepods, zoea (crab larvae), and chaetognaths (arrow worms) and focusing on the organisms most distinguishing features.
Invasive Limu (algae) Lab
Students sift through an invasive algae known as gorilla ogo or Gracilaria salicornia gathered from a lagoon at Moku o Loʻe. They pick out the small invertebrates and separate them by phylum in order to numerically characterize the habitat. By counting how many of each organism were found, they draw conclusions about the types of marine life an invasive algae-dominated habitat can sustain.


