Blog

By Erin Levine, Clinical Admissions Director Fun Fact: Did you know that it takes 2-3 years to grow a single pineapple? The pineapples our students enjoy today were planted by students almost three years ago. This can be a powerful life lesson for our students who are so used to instant gratification. In life, many …

Young adults are just that…young. Treating them like children is inappropriate. Treating them like adults is inappropriate. So the question is: how do we appropriately treat them as the young adults they are? The challenge comes in trying to understand where to place our young adults and children and adults given so many extenuating circumstances. …

Pacific Quest wilderness therapy program recently hosted a community visit, which allowed our neighbors and residents in Ka’u (Southern Hawaii) to learn more about our program, to interact with the students and staff, to share lunch, and even join in a land project. We received an unexpected letter from a community member and thought our …

We are pleased to announce new growth in the Pacific Quest wilderness therapy program clinical department!  After almost six years as a primary wilderness therapist, Hilary Moses is now our Therapeutic Program Director. In her new role, Hilary will work collaboratively with Toby Mautz, our Clinical Director. Hilary’s goal is to train and coach our …

By Travis Slagle, Horticulture Therapy Director We are proud to announce Pacific Quest wilderness therapy program is now a member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association! AHTA began in 1973 and currently has over 800 members worldwide.  If you are not familiar with Horticultural Therapy, it’s becoming a more recognized field with evidence-based practices that …

By Travis Slagle, PQ Land Supervisor Last week, parents came to the island for a two-day workshop where they worked side by side with their sons and daughters, rotating between discussion groups and land projects, experiencing first-hand what it’s like to be at Pacific Quest wilderness therapy program. The question I asked the families was …

Recently the Ohana has been hard at work harvesting Taro in the garden and creating new ways to spice up an ancient plant.  Taro, also known as “kalo,” is one of the original “canoe plants” that the Polynesians brought to Hawaii to propagate and sustain a new civilization.  An interesting fact that students at Pacific …

Pacific Quest Staff and students have begun participating in the Na’alehu Farmers Market every Wednesday from 8:00-11:30 am. We have been steadily providing lettuce, lemon grass and parsley. Also when in abundance we have provided kale, mint, oregano, bananas, papaya, lemons and hot peppers. The PQ produce are quality and sold at a reasonable price!  …

The Hawaiian term “kuleana” is quite difficult to define.  The literal translation, as I have heard, is “responsibility.” Kuleana means much more than that, as it seems to include a broader sense of responsibility –  a person’s responsibility to themselves and his/her community.  At PQ, we have named the second stage of growth Kuleana.  We …

Recently the Ohana group geared up with fins and snorkels to explore one of the most fascinating places on the island, Pu’ uhonua O Honaunau (City of Refuge).  The group set out to learn about tropical reef fish and remains of ancient Hawaiian culture first hand.  Pu’uhonua O Honaunau was home of the ali’i (royalty) …