I definitely think that Mt. Ka'ala was a really special experience for all of us. For one, being at the highest point on Oahu was really spiritually empowering. It was a breathtaking feeling being at a spot where we could overlook both the Waianae Valley and the North Shore. It was symbolic and motivational and I think this experience definitely reinvigorated us after a pretty exhauting week thus far. Seeing some of the most beautiful, rare, and endangered plants on Oahu was also spiritually and intellectually invigorating for a lot of us. The place is so surreal! Walking around in a boggy environment surrounded by really cool, unique, and endemic plants was such a rewarding experience. For me, it definitely placed the importance of conservation into perspective. Although the environment was really beautiful, a place that seemed to be pulled out of "Jurassic Park" or "Avatar", I think the experience was especially rewarding for me because it made me realize just how delicate our ecosystems really are. I was struck by how little remains of these plants, many of which hold special cultural meaning and medicinal properties. I was dumbfounded when I saw how pervasive the crocosnia is, how fast it spread, and how difficult it was to eradicate this invasive speciesl; to see so much of it so close to the reserve definately motivated a lot of us to continue to advocate for environmental conservation. I think what Elise said during our nightly discussion perfectly summed up my experience: the fact that knowledge truly is powerful. The new knowledge, experience, and renewed appreciation for nature we gained through this experience will be something that I think a lot of us will remember, something that will continue to be a source of inspiration.

-Robert, Git Er Done!!!