Inspiration

The Hanapaʻa Project was established in remembrance of the late Korey Wong, a 2020 graduate of the Global Environmental Science (GES) program and treasure to all who knew him. Hanapaʻa means to “secure or fasten”, a word to remind us of the values and beliefs Korey stood for regarding protecting Hawaiʻi’s resources.

The word hanapa‘a can be used in Korey’s favorite activity of fishing or interpreted in a more figurative way. The word resonates for all of us. We want to secure what Korey stood for.

The Hanapa‘a Project began with an annual event organized by students in GES and other SOEST programs. We hope that the current SOEST students will find the experience of attending rewarding and inspiring.