Connecting Students to the Ocean One Adventure at a Time
Experience Hawaiʻi’s stunning natural environment through the lens of global environmental learning. The Iruka Ocean Awareness Program is an immersive educational initiative designed to inspire inquiry, deepen environmental understanding, and spark meaningful connections between students and the planet.
Learn About the Earth In the Great Outdoors
Through guided boat tours and interactive ocean-based learning, students explore the interconnected systems of Earth’s oceans, land, and atmosphere. Surrounded by Hawaiʻi’s rich biodiversity, they’ll observe dolphins, sea turtles, coral reefs, and more. Help your students bring abstract global issues like plastic pollution, climate change, and ocean acidification to life in vivid, personal ways.
To deepen impact, we provide educator-ready materials to support learning before and after your trip. These resources are designed to complement classroom curriculum and empower students to explore their own questions about the environment.
This customizable program aligns perfectly with inquiry-based learning, sustainability curriculum, and SDG education.
Program Goals
Create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences in Hawaiʻi’s natural environment.
Add educational value to school trips and study abroad tours.
Support project-based learning tied to real-world environmental issues.
Foster a lifelong appreciation for nature and conservation.
Encourage sustainable thinking and global awareness.
Who Can Participate
The Iruka Ocean Awareness Program is open to:
- K–12 educators and schools
- University study abroad programs
- Educational tour providers
- Corporate or nonprofit training and leadership programs
Programs are customizable for different age groups and learning goals, with options available for elementary through high school students, as well as adult learners.
A Hands-On Program in Hawaiʻi’s Ocean
A sample 4-part program includes:
Session 1: The Great System of the Ocean
An approachable introduction to Earth’s complex environmental systems, all told through the perspective of the sea.An approachable introduction to Earth’s complex environmental systems, all told through the perspective of the sea.
Session 2: Experiencing Earth’s Timeline
Using Oʻahu’s ancient landscapes as a classroom, we explore Hawaiʻi’s geologic history and how nature has evolved over time.
Session 3: Wonders of the Wild
On an ocean tour, students encounter wild dolphins, sea turtles, and coral reefs, while learning about species behavior and fragile marine ecosystems.
Session 4: The Earth Right Now
Explore the environmental challenges facing Hawaiʻi and the planet, from coral bleaching to plastic pollution. Discuss how students can take action, locally and globally.
Ready to Learn More?
Planning a school trip or educational tour to Hawaiʻi?
Let us help you turn your travel into a transformational experience. Whether you’re focused on environmental science, sustainability, or cultural studies, the Iruka Ocean Awareness Program delivers depth, discovery, and ocean-powered inspiration.
Contact us today to customize a program that fits your group’s goals, schedule, and age range. Together, we can inspire the next generation of ocean stewards.