Research shows that girls today are interested in how leadership can help make the world a better place. A Hawaiian context sets up the expectation that leaders know and steward their own community and place before “changing the world.” With this understanding, we developed a foundational leadership program for students that strengthens their relationship to Hawai’i.  This journey begins with learning about water and wai through the lens of STEM and the ahupua‘a of Paumalū which was once a self-sustaining ahupua‘a on Oʻahuʻs North Shore. From one pilot program for 2nd and 3rd grade girls in 2014-2015, we are expanding to four other sites this coming school year.