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SCHOOL PROGRAMS
- Now taking 2026 reservations for Hawaiʻi K-8th Grade -
The Center for Community Education at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology
offers a unique opportunity for students to explore Moku o Loʻe
through walking tours and/or hands-on labs.
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All programs are scheduled for 9am to 12:30pm
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All programs require signed waiver forms and program fees
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Acceptable payment types: cash, check, credit card, POs, IDOs
School Size & Transportation
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Our capacity is 30 people max per trip.
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Small groups are considered 12 or less, while large groups are 13 - 30 participants.
~ We may accommodate groups larger than 30, depending on staffing ~
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Small groups transport from Lilipuna Pier, with no boat fee.
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Large groups transport from Heʻeia Kea Boat Harbor, boat fee $200.
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on our research education vessel, Ka Noelo Kai
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Safety Protocol
Due to safety considerations, students must be 5 years of age or older to participate in the program. All participants need to be able to climb in and out of small boats, up and down several pier steps, navigate one to two steep hills, walk on uneven paved and non-paved pathways, and 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 arranged for desired date (vans, buses, chaperones)
3. Complete In-State Hawaiʻi School Request Form linked below:
4. Your completed form will automatically be submitted to our himbcep@hawaii.edu email
5. Please make sure to request your tour well in advance of the desired tour date
If it is difficult to understand/fill out the Google Form, you may also email us at himbcep@hawaii.edu.
How to Book a Out-of-Sate 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 arranged for desired date (vans, cars, chaperones)
3. Complete Out-of-State School Request Form linked below:
4. Your completed form will automatically be submitted to our himbcep@hawaii.edu email
5. Please make sure to request your tour well in advance of the desired tour date
If it is difficult to understand/fill out the Google Form, you may also email us at himbcep@hawaii.edu.
Hawaiʻi High School (9th-12th) Inquiry:
Our program specifically focuses on family and community based opportunities, including tours and lab expeditions, designed for the general public as well as elementary and intermediate grade levels.
If you are interested in a more structured, curricular based lab experience for your Hawaiʻi DOE, charter, or private high school, 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 -
Walking Tours:
$110 for up to 20 participants, $10/additional participant
Expedition to Moku o Loʻe (labs):
$130 for up to 20 participants, $10/additional participant
Roundtrip Large (13+) Vessel Fee:
$200
Out-of-State/In-State Non-Credit Schools
Walking Tours:
$210 for first 20 participants, $20/additional participant
Expedition to Moku o Loʻe (labs):
$355 for first 20 participants, $20/additional participant
Roundtrip Large (13+) Vessel Fee:
$350
- EXPEDITION TO MOKU O LOʻE -
Hands On 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 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 education vessel, Ka Noelo Kai, and tow through Kāneʻohe Bay during our trip to Moku o Loʻe.
Upon arrival, 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, crab zoea (larvae), and chaetognaths (arrow worms), while focusing on the organisms most distinguishing features.
Invasive Algae and Invertebrate 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.
Upper Level: Hands On Labs
5th - 8th Grade Only
Geared towards grades 5th through 8th for a hands-on learning experience.
As of Spring 2026, the Center of Community Education has now launched 3 brand new hands on lab modules for our Upper Level haumāna. Please see below:
Sea Level Rise Lab
Students will be introduced to some natural occurrences that affect ocean water levels such as waves, storms, and currents. Then we will define sea level rise and the two main drivers that cause this increase in sea level: 1) Melting ice caps and glaciers and 2) thermal expansion. Students will conduct two hands-on experiments to visualize these drivers and really get a better understanding of how these global drivers are affecting their communities on a local scale. The lab will conclude by using a predictive modeling tool called the sea level rise viewer to visualize different areas around Oʻahu such as Oʻahu, Moku o Loʻe, and Waikīkī under 1ft, 3ft, and 6ft sea level rise changes.
Marine Plastics Lab
Students will be introduced to plastics, learn how plastics are found all throughout our environment, and the effects of plastics in our environment. Then we will define marine plastics and discuss the different types of marine plastics and the effects they have on Hawaiʻi. The lesson will start with a phenomenon to capture and focus attention on the topic. Real life and practical examples of items will be available for students to make an immediate connection to potentially complex ideas. Hands-on activities will be spread throughout the lesson to 1) visualize how plastics move through an ahupuaʻa, 2) understand how plastics can affect marine life, and 3) learn how to identify unknown plastics via buoyancy. The lesson will conclude by discussing recycling in Hawaiʻi and other ways we can reduce plastic consumption and marine debris.
Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Lab
Students will learn about solutions to combat Ocean Acidification. The lab portion focuses on Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) where students explore how many natural minerals can be used in enhancing the alkalinity of our oceans in an effort to combat our rising sea chemistry. Students learn about the pH scale and its influence in their daily lives and in the ocean.