What Is a Kāheka‪?‬

Take a dip into the fascinating world of Hawaiʻi’s kāheka (tide pools), and bring your keiki with you! Together you will explore the ever-changing kāheka habitat and see why it is a good home for some iʻa. Get up close and personal with interesting kāheka residents, like the pipipi with its odd-looking alelo (tongue), the loli with its ‘aweʻawe (tentacles), and the ʻina with its niho (teeth). Observe how they use their bodies to eat a primary—and ʻono!—food of the kāheka habitat, limu.


While versatile enough to be a stand-alone resource, this Big Ideas Science Book is part of the kāheka-themed set of Pāhana ʻĀina Lupalupa (PAL).


Target Grade Level: Kindergarten (but readers of all ages may enjoy and learn something new!)


Pāhana ʻĀina Lupalupa (PAL) is a series of Hawaiian culture-based science readers. PAL integrates Hawaiian language, culture, and place-based content with literacy and science concepts that meet national standards. Developed in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and translated into English, this exciting series was created through partnerships among a group of Hawaiʻi educators, literacy specialists, and Hawaiian-language resource developers in consultation with scientists and cultural practitioners.