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Superferry partners with Nature Center to transport students to camp

HONOLULU (KHNL) - Oahu students will be able to attend overnight residential environmental education programs on Maui thanks to transportation provided by the Hawaii Superferry.

The Hawaii Nature Center has partnered with the Superferry to give low-income and at-risk students a chance to learn about the watersheds through a series of Ahupuaa water camps.

Hawaii Nature Center Executive Director Gregory Dunn says the Superferry has saved the day.

"We have received generous funding from our supporters to created the water camps, but with the challenges we're seeing in the airline industry and cutbacks in the DOE, the schools couldn't afford to fly the kids to Maui for these camps," said Dunn.  "When we contacted the Superferry for assistance, they gladly stepped forward to assist."

The camps begin with the first group of students from Iroquois Point Elementary School on October 16.  Camps will continue through the next six months with the last group scheduled for May 28, 2009.

So far, 18 class groups from Ewa Beach, Maili, Laie, Kahuku, Waialua and Kahaluu have enrolled for camp.

Last year, more than 7,000 school children and families participated in programs at the Center's Iao Valley location.