Research Beyond My Comfort Zones

This trip was an eye opener for me. It expended my view towards the cultural aspect and the way people live and interact within each community on the different islands. It was a great experience that I believe many people in the future would regret not being a part of. There was many interesting places that we visited and were able to take apart of.

A few things that I knew before our trip was the cultural standpoint was different. I knew it was going to be different than what it is like in northern Pennsylvania where I live. The people were very interactive with one another. I noticed this when we first met Marques, he had many different views of everything, including the layout of land, animals and structures. It was interesting to see how passionate he was about the chants he did at the six different areas we visited.

The biology in Hawaii was fascinating to me. I have never wanted to look at a bird or understand how the Ohia trees grow on old volcanoes. The wildlife was also fascinating to me, it was so unique to learn about the birds and how there are no predators on the islands. The plants on the islands were different. The one plant I found cool was the plant that shrunk when you touched them. I have never seen a plant like that before it was eye opening to me. Also, I saw a wide range species of birds on the islands. It really helped to understand what these birds were by going to the Bishop Museum and with Dr. Mahan identifying them.

The geology was something that everyone needs to see. The mountain ranges to me were very steep compared to what I normally see in Pennsylvania. But, with that being said most of the mountains in Hawaii are formed from volcanoes. On the big islands we got to pahoehoe and a’a lava flows. That was one thing I was looking forward toward to in the trip was to see lava flows.

What I learned from my experience in Hawaii was how the culture was different, geology, biology. From the soil to the highest point on the volcano I had learned many interesting facts about plants and what the NASA observatory actually did on top of the volcano, which was detect wavelengths.

This trip was challenging in many different aspects. I was put through many physical, emotional and socially difficulties. Physically it was tough on me the day we went and helped restore the fish pond. I remember everyone working as a team to transport the rocks to a different location as Brandon and I hauled them to where they could move them to where the people working there wanted them. Emotionally, it was hard being so far away from home even though I have been doing it for the past few years of college. I was challenged socially by interacting with many different kinds of people in one location. It seemed as if there was multiple races of people.

All in all I was glad I got to partake in this trip and learn and experiences many different things I may not have at another place. I have told my trip to many people and they seem very jealous. They might just have to experience it one day for themselves.