In celebration of Universal Day of Culture on 15 April 2025, a new cross-continental collaboration is bringing the wisdom of the past into the hands of the future. formula D_, a South African experience design firm, has just completed ‘Explorers of Lawai‘a’ – an interactive, low-tech science and culture exhibit created for INPEACE, a Hawai‘i-based nonprofit dedicated to Native Hawaiian education and empowerment. The exhibit has been designed to inspire curiosity about traditional Hawaiian fishing practices – known as lawai‘a – and the vital relationship between community, indigenous knowledge systems, and ocean sustainability.
To mark the completion of the exhibit before it ships off to Hawai‘i, formula D_ is hosting a special interactive workshop on April 14 with ten children aged 4 to 14. The young testers will explore the exhibit in the way it was designed to be explored – through curiosity and hands-on discovery. The purpose of this workshop is to gather feedback to test the concept from the early design phase, with the final exhibit – bringing the design journey full circle.
“This is so much more than a science exhibit,” said Jenna Mervis, from formula D_. “It’s storytelling in its most playful and powerful form – layering Hawaiian knowledge systems, fishing science, and hands-on exploration in a way that feels joyful and deeply connected.”
From an oversized dissectible fish and a river-to-sea table maze, to plush story boxes and a harvest pool that teaches responsible fishing techniques – this exhibit uses beautiful, tactile installations to spark learning through movement, imagination, and touch. The experience also includes Hawaiian language elements and storytelling devices that celebrate the rich traditions of Native Hawaiian culture.
“In a world overflowing with screens, we chose to go mostly analogue,” said Mervis. “The result is an exhibit that feels alive, inviting kids to learn through their bodies – not just their eyes.”
Though designed for Hawai‘i, the collaboration between INPEACE and formula D_ is a powerful example of cross-cultural and cross-continent partnership, uniting South African design ingenuity with Indigenous Hawaiian wisdom. The exhibit demonstrates the importance of preserving cultural knowledge – and sharing it across borders – in ways that inspire the next generation.
At its heart, Explorers of Lawai‘a asks a simple but urgent question: How can we all be better caretakers of our oceans? Through joyful exploration, thoughtful storytelling, and meaningful cultural exchange, this exhibit invites young minds to explore the answer.
To find out more about formula D_’s work, visit https://formula-d.com/