50% of Big Island public schools now Blue Zones Project approved!

Big Island schools have been making big changes to improve the health and well-being of students, staff, and surrounding communities. In long-standing Blue Zones Project^® communities of East and North Hawaiʻi, over 50% of public schools have become Blue Zones Project Approved^™ by launching or refining wellness policies and programs.

North Hawaiʻi’s most recently approved school, Kohala Middle School

The Hawaii Department of Education values health and wellness in schools as reflected in their policies and guidelines, but it can be challenging for schools to prioritize whole health within the constraints of budgets and demands like testing. Blue Zones Project has helped bring health and wellness into the spotlight, providing resources, energy and momentum to make healthy choices easier for students, their families and school staff.

According to Hawaii Department of Education data, Blue Zones Project Approved schools:

• Are more likely to see improved compliance with state wellness guidelines and score better than state averages.
• See a cumulative decrease in chronic absenteeism and disciplinary incidents

East Hawaiʻi school symposium -- walking tour of downtown Hilo

Here are just a few of the great things Big Island schools have been up to:

• School Wellness Symposiums where attendees share challenges, learn about opportunities, and celebrate successes. As one attendee of a recent East Hawaiʻi symposium said, “There are a lot of community resources out there that we were unaware of. The entire day was a learning experience and we can see how the DOE can begin partnering with these resources.”
• Walking Moai Challenges – over 300 school staff have formed teams to talk & walk over 10 weeks, forming new relationships, staying active, and giving each other some fierce competition for prizes.
• Walk/Bike to School Day – over 2000 students have participated in national walk and bike to school days.
• Lots of Big Island schools are now incorporating wellness into staff meetings and providing employees opportunities to get active, be social, and eat well during and after school.

East Hawaiʻi school symposium -- Waiakea High's wellness team

With over 50% of Big Island schools Blue Zones Project Approved, there is a palpable impact on people’s well-being and sense of community. Blue Zones Project’s hope and intention is that our island schools have reached a tipping point that will ensure we can sustain this momentum, and improve the culture of health across the island.  

Join the Well-Being Movement!

Email our team to learn more about partnering with us to make healthy choices easier at your worksite, school, grocery store, restaurant, or faith-based organization.
Check out all participating organizations.

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Learn more at hawaii.bluezonesproject.com