Field Study of
Economics Department
経済学科のフィールドスタディ

Report from Student 9,Hawaii, 2025

　
I participated in a field study program in Hawaii in February 2026. It was my first time visiting Hawaii. Before the trip, I thought Hawaii was a famous tourist destination with beautiful beaches where many people go on vacation. However, during the pre-departure training, I learned that Hawaii has many environmental problems. When I visited Hawaii, I realized that these problems are very serious.
Hawaii faces several environmental issues such as rising sea levels caused by global warming, marine pollution, and damage to ecosystems. Because Hawaii is made up of islands, it is sometimes difficult to use the same solutions as other countries. Even so, I learned that many efforts are being made to protect the natural environment.
I also learned about the history of Hawaii. I was surprised by the large number of Japanese and other Asian descendants living there. Hawaii has a long history of immigration from Asia, including Japan. I also learned about the history of Hawaii being annexed by the United States, which I did not know much about before.
During the program, we joined several fieldwork activities. At Hanauma Bay, I tried snorkeling and saw many fish and coral reefs in the ocean. I learned that Hanauma Bay is protected through rules such as visitor limits to protect nature. We also visited a botanical garden and saw plants that grow in a climate very different from Japan.
Through this field study, I became interested in the relationship between coral reefs and sunscreen. In Hawaii, some sunscreens that contain chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate are restricted because they may harm coral reefs. Since many tourists use sunscreen, it may affect the marine environment. Seeing the coral reefs with my own eyes made me realize how important it is to protect them.
This field study was a very valuable experience for me. I was able to learn about Hawaii’s environment, history, and culture. I hope to use what I learned in my future studies.