WAIMEA BAY, Hawaii -- Students from "Island Pacific Academy" in Kapolei are doing what they can to go green and preserve it for future generations.

Armed with rakes, trash bags and smiles the fourth-graders set out on their mission to spruce up the lush Waimea Falls Park.

For one day, the valley was their outdoor classroom.

"The only way you can be rooted back in the Aina is literally to get your hands back in the land," Kahokulea Haiku, Waimea Falls Park educator.

The children dug right in, clearing out weeds, raking leaves and learning about their environment.

"It's a good way to get the next generation involved in their community," Haiku said.

The park protects endangered species and is home to many different types of wildlife.

"This was the area of our ancestors and I believe it's important that we keep it this way and not just destroy it," one boy said.

"The only way they are going to learn how to take care of the Earth is if they are out there interacting with it," academy teacher Lisa Jeffers-Fabro said.

The class visits the park three times a year and the children have a growing understanding of the importance of preserving the valley.

"It's a really delicate place. It's like the only place in Hawaii that doesn't have any mechanical sounds," one boy said.

"It was wonderful," another student said.

Student Taiyler Calma-Viloria summed up the importance of the lesson.

"Because if you take care of the Aina, the Aina will take care of you back," she said.