The Hawaii Mini Jigsaw Puzzle

Hawaii Minimester Jigsaw Puzzle: 500 Pieces

Difficulty Level: Hard

This box contains: 10 students, 2 instructors, and 1 van

Recommended: Ages 18+

Caution: Reference and instructions not included

Our Hawaii Minimester is comparable to a jigsaw puzzle as each person, place, and memory represents an individual puzzle piece. As our program draws to a close, I’d like to take a moment to look back on the past month on all of our different puzzle pieces that have created our unique Minimester puzzle. 

The last time you heard from us we were making our way to Waipio Valley where we would spend four days learning about the importance of a wa`a (canoe). We were taught the history of voyaging and how constellations were used for navigation during month-long journeys at sea. The operators we worked with generously opened their hearts and minds to us to share knowledge that no textbook could ever hold. 

The two following days we spent our time at the Ulu Mau Puanui service project. We were graciously welcomed to learn about the history and current state of sustainable rainfed (unirrigated) farming and how natives have lived off the land for centuries. 

Next, we packed up our bags and moved to Big Island Farms. We started our week off with an introduction to permaculture and were taught the significance of food forests and sustainable gardening practices. Once we were more comfortable in the garden, we had our own farm to table dinner which consisted of fluffy focaccia bread, pesto pasta, and the best banana bread I’ve ever had. It deepened our appreciation of farming and all the efforts that make it so we have food in the grocery stores. 

The second half of the week at Big Island Farms we had the opportunity to work with a local beekeeper that showered us with knowledge about the complex lifestyle of bees. We put on our bee suits and had a first hand experience of what it’s like to extract raw honey from a hive. 

After an intense week of cultural immersion and learning about sustainable living, our service work for the program was complete. We packed our bags for one of our last moves, to Ho‘okena campsite, and our final week was already upon us. Here in Kona, we battled the waves for three days of surfing lessons and hiked the Captain Cook trail. 

With such a wide variety of activities, personalities, and environments during these six weeks, it’s easy to feel lost and unsure where to fit in at times. However, I have never felt more confident in where my puzzle piece fits in the frame because of the relationships I’ve built with other people, places, and myself. All of the experiences and memories created during this program have designed a beautiful mosaic that is unique to our group. I will forever carry pieces of this puzzle with me for years to come making this a truly unforgettable experience.

Written by Rose Gladstone