The Maui News

WAILUKU–The Ho’okāko’o Corporation announced Thursday they are receiving an award totaling $100,000 that will support Native Hawaiian elementary students at Kualapu’u School through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Kumuwaiwai Na’auao Educational Resources Grants, according to a press release.

“The award will help reinforce and strengthen connections to ōlelo Hawai’i (language) and moʻomeheu (culture) and support OHA’s Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan by increasing the number of Native Hawaiian elementary students who enter the educational system ready to learn and engage in traditional learning systems that reestablish strong cultural foundations and identity,” the release reads.

Ho’okāko’o and Kualapu’u School will offer Ho’okahua (to lay a foundation)–a three-year initiative to develop, expand, and sustain Papa Mālaaʻo through Papa ʻElua (Kindergarten–2nd Grade) Hawaiian language education through the development of trained and licensed Hawaiian-language immersion teachers at the school.

“There is a severe shortage of qualified teachers state-wide, but particularly on Molokai and among Hawaiian immersion teachers. This partnership with OHA will help us fill this gap by supporting teacher training and licensure in elementary and Hawaiian language education,” says David Gibson, Ho’okāko’o Executive Director.

Ho’okahua aims to increase the number of licensed and qualified Hawaiian language immersion teachers and strengthen Hawaiian-medium early education on Molokai, improving its students’ academic performance and their Hawaiian language acquisition.