Misty clouds hang at the tip of the Ko’olau mountains, the sun reflecting off of the raindrops, creating colors of the rainbow and an angelic scene. The view outside my window provides me with a valuable break from the stressors of school, sports, and life. I exhale, knowing my home will always be there to comfort me. The islands are a sanctuary for thousands of native species, many of which are integral symbols of Hawaiian culture. With this comes great responsibility to ensure that land is cared for, loved, and protected. 

However, the dangers of climate change threaten the ability of the people of Hawaii to preserve this land. Rising temperatures create hotter environments, ocean acidification, and extreme weather problems, causing natural disasters to occur more frequently. This has immediate effects on the survival of life on this planet: it endangers the coral habitats of marine species, damages crucial resources for native animals, and erodes sacred land formations across the island, putting homes and lives on the edge of water in danger. 

The issue of climate change sounds too big to solve, too big to bear, and overwhelming to even think of. Many climate activists put effort into instilling fear into society about the dangers climate change brings. They continue to do so, as climate change is quite a pressing issue. Some may see addressing climate action as an obligation rather than a privilege. 

How have people learned to love the environment and feel positive about taking care of something they love? I believe it is similar to the idea of taking care of family and friends you care deeply for: many don’t see it as an obligation, and more as an act of kindness they are naturally inclined to do. What if we create a sense of awe and love for the environment in people, by igniting that natural feeling of caring for something you love, rather than doing chores for a daunting task? 

Many studies have shown the benefits of experiencing a sense of “awe” and love for nature in a person’s life: it increases happiness, improves overall health and instills a sense of gratitude for the environment (New York Times). By helping people simply become aware of how beautiful the land is, and how lucky it is to live here, feelings of “awe” can increase. In turn, this might help people realize how special this place is and truly understand how crucial it is that we ensure it can live on for future generations. 

At Punahou, students are lucky to have opportunities to learn to love the land from a young age. Young students are able to camp up on Puʻuomānoa in the fourth grade or spend a couple of nights on the Big Island in fifth grade. Through these experiences, students learn to love the environment for all its worth, beauty, and diversity. What if each person on this planet had an eye-opening experience with the land? Truly, it would instill a greater sense of gratitude, respect, and care for the environment. 

However, with the state that the world is in right now, it is clear not everyone has the same sense of gratitude for the environment. Albeit, with more youth activists and climate awareness, there is still hope and change can still be made. I encourage everyone to recreate “awe” by telling themselves one thing they appreciate about the environment, and reminding a loved one to do the same.

“Lucky We Live Hawaii” is not just a saying; it is a fact. The aloha spirit that people have for each other never goes unappreciated. However, aloha is not exclusively exchanged between people. Aloha for the land is extremely important and prioritized. The islands are a sanctuary for thousands of native species, many of which are integral symbols of Hawaiian culture. With this comes great responsibility to ensure that land is cared for, loved, and protected. By reflecting on the aloha spirit shared between people, we can teach others to show more aloha for the environment.