Lā Honua: Pacific Missile Range Facility goes green to welcome west side students

Under canopies casting cool shade from the blazing sun, nearly 250 students and chaperones on a field trip to the Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands gathered on a grassy field to celebrate Lā Honua — Earth Day — on a day at the end of April.

They braved the broiling, but beautiful, weather to learn from natural resources personnel at the U.S. Navy facility outside Kekaha and partner organizations from around Kaua‘i as well as about the environment, various ways environmental professionals work to preserve Earth and how they, themselves, can play a part in a greener future.

After a welcoming oli, or chant, performed by the students of Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha, members of the Pacific Missile Range Facility team introduced themselves and got right to work teaching visiting students about the many roles the facility plays in protecting the precious ecosystem on Kaua‘i’s far west side.

“One of the things we take very seriously here is, while we are protecting our country, we also want to protect the ʻāina where we live,” Pacific Missile Range Facility Commanding Officer Capt. Brett Stevenson said to students and chaperones. “While you visit the different displays and learn about the areas that we live in, I want you to think about all the different plants and animals that make this place beautiful and how important it is to ensure that they thrive.”

The students visiting Pacific Missile Range Facility this year were fourth-graders from Kekaha, St. Theresa’s, Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha, ‘Ele‘ele and Kalaheo elementary schools.

Following crowd favorite Pacific Missile Range Facility meteorologist Tim Golden’s demonstration of cloud formation, the student’s and chaperones split up into groups for presentations by environmental professionals in more than 12 different areas of study including:

• Electricity storage and production.
• Endemic birds.
• Composting.
• Smart recycling.
• Alternative fuel sources.

Students also didn’t just gain knowledge about the world around them, ways to move toward sustainability and memories with their classmates, they returned home with a 4-section potted seed starter and knowledge about how to care for the seeds inside, too.

“We chose to have the students plant an adaptable and significant native plant, a‘ali‘i, which is common on [Pacific Missile Range Facility], as well as an important food crop, papaya,” said Pacific Missile Range Facility Natural Resources Manager Brooke McFarland. “We wanted to give the students an appreciation of not only the plants native to Kaua’i, but also the work and care that goes into growing things, and how rewarding it can be to see those plants grow tall and strong.”

McFarland and her staff hope they help foster a sense of wonder and joy in the next generation of botanists and home gardeners.

Students and chaperones enjoyed fresh fruit for lunch before loading buses and heading back to school.

“Mahalo to everyone who came out to [Pacific Missile Range Facility] and volunteered their time to educate [the students] not just about the Earth, but about your home and how we can keep it green,” said Pacific Missile Range Facility Community Planning Liaison Officer Kaulana Mossman.

This story was written by Pacific Missile Range Facility Deputy Public Affairs Officer Mass Communication Spc. 1st Class Louis Lea and shared with Kaua‘i Now.