MEDIA RELEASE

Island high school students are invited to join teens from across the country for a week-long outdoor adventure and an outstanding environmental leadership program – the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL) on Hawaii Island in April 2010.

The Kohala Center and Brown University are offering tuition scholarships for two students to attend BELL Hawaii on April 2-9, 2010.

Maryam Palma, a 2009 scholarship recipient, describes BELL Hawaii as “a sensationally rewarding hands-on learning experience.” Students develop leadership skills while studying the island’s biology, ecology, and Hawaiian cultural traditions.

The program focuses on the interdependence of land, sea, and the life systems they support and is led by leading island scientists, cultural leaders, and environmental experts.

“During the eight days of non-stop enthusiasm, we traveled around the island participating in activities that even those living here hardly have the opportunity to enjoy,” Palma said.

Students experience incredible adventures as they learn about the culture and history of the island, participate in the restoration of native forests, explore the geological wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, kayak in coastal waters, camp at Keei, and study coral reef ecology and management.

“I now continue on with my education at UH Manoa hoping to pursue a degree in environmental studies,” said Palma, a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Hilo. “This is largely because of my involvement with BELL during the spring. It is not only a program which gives an understanding of Hawaii’s geography, culture and values, but brings them all together with an incorporation of sustainability and crucial leadership skills-leaving its participants with an awareness towards the Hawaiian Islands (as well as the planet) and possibly even motivation to get involved and take charge within their own communities.”

Elai Dankner, West Hawaii Explorations Academy, was also a 2009 BELL Hawaii scholarship recipient.

Friday, Jan. 29 is the deadline to submit all application materials to The Kohala Center. Applications can be mailed to The Kohala Center, P.O. Box 437462, Kamuela, HI 96743, or faxed to 808-885-6707. Application materials can be downloaded at www.kohalacenter.org/bell or are available from The Kohala Center, 887-6411.

The application must also include an official school transcript and a one-page essay describing what you hope to learn during this course.

Brown University partners with The Kohala Center to offer this competitive program for pre-college students with interests in science, leadership, and cultural studies. The Kohala Center is an independent center for research and education about and for the environment, and links together a diverse network of island-based institutions with expertise in the physical and cultural sciences, politics, education, and history.

Both Brown University and The Kohala Center are committed to helping Hawaii Island residents care for and celebrate Hawaii’s unique natural and cultural landscape. To learn more about The Kohala Center’s programs, see www.KohalaCenter.org