Middle school students in Hawaii spent a day doing hands-on conservation work at Waimea Valley, a small good-news story for the park and the kids involved.

• About 140 Maryknoll middle schoolers worked on gardening projects around the Waimea Valley Visitor Center during a school "Day of Service."
• The goal was to build a stronger connection to Hawaii's land and environment.
• Many of the kids had never been to Waimea before, and some had never worked in dirt or pulled weeds.
• The school ties the day to its motto, "to whom much is given, much is expected."

Outlook: The school plans to keep pushing service and land stewardship as a regular part of student life.