This year, we once again held the Hawaii English Experience & Cultural Enrichment Program together with Hawaii Pacific University (HPU). A total of 15 students joined: 5 first-year students (2 from the General Course and 3 from the International Course) and 10 second-year students (5 from the General Course and 5 from the International Course).
During the program, there was an unexpected event. An earthquake near the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia caused a tsunami warning for Hawaii. Our school quickly set up a safety team and worked closely with students, teachers, and local staff to make sure everyone was safe. Luckily, there was no serious damage, and the program continued as planned. From this experience, students learned not only about English and different cultures, but also about how to respond in emergencies.
The time in Hawaii, with many new encounters, experiences and even this surprise event, became a special and unforgettable memory for everyone.
Program dates: July 26 (Sat) – August 5 (Tue)
[July 26 (Sat) Chubu Centrair International Airport → Honolulu Airport]
The students finally left for Hawaii! Their parents saw them off at the airport, and they started their journey full of excitement.
Hawaii’s heat felt so much nicer than Japan’s sticky summer. The air wasn’t humid, the sun was bright, and there was always a nice breeze, so it was comfortable.
[July 26 (Sat) & 27 (Sun)]
Students spent the weekend with their host families, experiencing local culture and everyday life in Hawaii.
@ Hawaii Pacific University
July 28 (Mon) [Day 1: Morning – Orientation / Afternoon – Waikiki Walk Rally]
In the morning, we had orientation, played some icebreaker games to get to know each other, set our goals for the stay, and toured the university campus. This year, we also joined students from Shinagawa Shoei High School in Tokyo for the program. It was a great chance to make new friends, chat in English, and get inspired by meeting people from another school.
In the afternoon, we took the city bus to Waikiki and tried a scavenger hunt at the International Marketplace. Using the hints we were given, each group explored the market to find the answers. The activity not only tested our English communication skills, but also teamwork and independence. Being out in the real city and using English gave the students a real confidence boost and they had a lot of fun learning at the same time.
July 29 (Tue) [Day 2: Morning & Afternoon – Classes]
Our full English classes began. Students were divided into three classes—Sharks, Sea Turtles, and Dolphins—to learn about Hawaii’s wild marine life. Before visiting the Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center on campus, they studied the basics of marine animals and coral reefs. At the center, students explored exhibits and watched videos to learn more about sea creatures, beautiful coral reefs, and the efforts made to protect the ocean. Afterwards, they reflected on what they had learned by writing journals about marine environmental issues and what they could personally do to help.
In the afternoon, all three classes joined together for a Conversation Lesson. Students were divided into four groups, and each group prepared questions to ask the four teachers. The teachers then rotated between groups, and students were required to ask all their questions in English to each teacher. At first, they were nervous and a little tense, but once the conversations started, the number of smiles and confidence grew.
July 30 (Wed) [Day 3: Morning Classes, Afternoon Lunch & Kailua Shopping]
Due to the tsunami warning from the previous day, we delayed the start of classes to be safe and began the morning program later than planned. Originally, we were going to visit Kailua Beach, but to avoid the beach, we changed the schedule to explore Kailua Town, have lunch at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, and stop by Pali Lookout on the way back. In the morning class, we reviewed how the tsunami news was reported and looked back on how the students reacted to the situation. Before going to lunch at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, students practiced ordering food and useful English phrases to prepare for speaking in real situations.
In the afternoon, we took the school bus to Kailua Town. Teddy’s Bigger Burgers is a popular burger restaurant that started in Hawaii, famous for its large and filling burgers. The students ordered their food confidently, using the phrases they had practiced in class, and looked very satisfied. After lunch, we visited Pali Lookout, a famous scenic spot overlooking the east coast of Oahu. It is known for its strong winds and is also a historic site where King Kamehameha I fought to unify Oahu in the late 18th century, in what is called the Battle of Nuʻuanu.
