The Estate of James Campbell is developing a 570-acre city called Kapolei in western Oahu on land that served as a mainstay of the sugar industry on the island. By 2005 this new city is projected to have a population of 100,000.

A major landowner of 36,000 acres (or about 8% of the island of Oahu), the Estate has initiated an innovative educational program targeted to teachers and curriculum specialists. The purpose of this ambitious program is to inform and prepare the community for the tremendous growth and change that will occur over the next 50 years.

Working closely with the Estate, your editor of Resources developed a hands-on, experiential workshop that introduced educators to land planning and development. Participants experienced the complexities of the decision-making processes in building and designing a city, not unlike the master-planned City of Kapolei.

Utilizing the format of a weekend retreat, educators were able to totally immerse themselves in planning and developing a new city.

Educators confronted the variety of challenges and opportunities inherent in land development. They discovered the importance of negotiation. They honed their skills in creative thinking, problem solving, and reasoning. They worked in teams and as individuals.

A final evaluation of the workshop reveals an increased level of understanding of the role of developer and planner.

Representing multi-disciplinary subject areas, these teachers and curriculum specialists are encouraged to develop similar programs for the students in their school district.

Currently, teachers at two school complexes are planning to develop an all-day environmental camp for 200 students, grades 6-12. Based on their experience, they will tailor the program to the special needs of this diverse age group.

The Estate intends to continue their workshop/in-service teacher training program. They have discovered the value of creating an informed constituency of educators and of transforming the development of their new city into a "living classroom".

For information, contact Ramona K. Mullahey, editor, Resources.