Kilo

In nature journaling, we talk a lot about closely observing the world around us. In Hawaiʻi, this is embodied in kilo, a word which refers both the traditional practice as well as the practitioner, both the activity and the person doing it.

Some things I’ve learned that are often part of the practice of kilo:

• Returning again and again to the same place to notice how it changes over time
• Identifying patterns
• Sharing and discussing what you notice with others
• Asking questions
• Making predictions about what you expect to happen and sharing them with others

Kilo also traditionally involved spiritual observations, relationships to cultural practices, deities, as well as religious observations of both the moon cycles and seasons.

Also important to note, there was no written Hawaiian language until the 1820s. Before that, environmental knowledge was shared orally, through memorization, sharing mo’olelo, and oli. However, nowadays, most of us rely on writing and drawing to help us remember what we’ve observed and what others have taught us.

*I am always looking to learn and grow. If you have a different definition or experience of kilo, please share it with me by emailing info@katerighter.com and I will make changes! Mahalo!

Worksheets

I created a kilo worksheet specifically for field trips or visiting a place for the first time: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iKvsJ-LwtbkhLnNTUPy6nN5oh8aYkWlNKWVnnSLDBio/edit?usp=sharing

Downloadable kilo resources for younger keiki, with cute drawings: https://www.poowainui.org/resources

Lesson Plans

From Malama Learning Center: https://www.malamalearningcenter.org/uploads/9/3/5/0/93506112/kilo_revised.pdf

Kilo to Wonder by Jaime Lewis, STEMS^2 program at UH Manoa: https://coe.hawaii.edu/stems2/curriculum/kilo-to-wonder/

In Depth Data Sheets

Resource for seasonal observation: https://auamo.org/
A slightly different, modified version of the huli ia form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cXntLW7tsQz0aHvVuVOpagyRNUw3DF54/view

A diverse collection of kilo forms and information: https://www.aimalama.org/resources/