Federal Funds Bolster Native Hawaiian Programs In Windward
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Del.icio.usIt’s not all bad news coming out of Washington, D.C. Hawaii’s congressional delegation recently announced a $13 million package of help for Native Hawaiian students and four Windward Oahu nonprofits have won a large chunk of that money.
“These innovative programs have shown success in targeting Native Hawaiian students in high-risk communities and putting them on the path to success,” stated U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka in announcing the grants July 19 with his colleagues. In all, 23 grants were made available as of Aug. 1 from the U.S. Department of Education through the Native Hawaiian Education Act. First-year awards are firm, while second and third-year amounts are pending U.S. DOE budget approval.
* Kualoa-Heeia Ecumenical Youth Project (KEY) will get $947,360 over three years for its communitybased high school diploma program (C-base) for youths 16 and older who have dropped out of school. Also known as Ho’ohuli (“turning the corner”), it’s a partnership between KEY and the Windward School for Adults, offering practical and vocational classes, service learning and job skills over a 12-month period.
“It’s excellent for us, and we think we’re ready for it,” said executive director John Reppun of the “second chance” program.
“It’s going to open a lot of new doors to students looking to elevate their educational opportunities,” added KEY programs director Emma Frias. She said the money will go to staff, computer lab upgrades, online technology “not seen this side of the Koolaus,” certification, operations and a much-needed pre-C-base course. (New classes begin Aug. 29, and interested students should call Renee Pakele at 239-5777.)
* KAI LOA Inc., the support arm of Ke Kula Samuel M. Kamakau charter school in Kaneohe, won $1,177,355 over three years to strengthen language immersion readiness among entering kindergartners. KAI LOA (Kamakau Association for Increasing Lifelong Opportunities for Advancement) has witnessed an increased demand in the past two years for the Hawaiian language, which it will meet by recruiting staff and developing teachers for its first class of 4-year-olds in 2012.
* Hui Malama O Ke Kai Foundation in Waimanalo will use $1,567,760 over three years to strengthen and deepen its mission to help grades 5-12 in a variety of after-school and weekend activities with an ocean theme. “It’s very humbling,” said executive director Kathy Morris of the grant win. “We’re very blessed to be included.” The money will help the foundation in all aspects, including more “place-based” activities that foster cultural pride and confidence, such as working on the lo’i, a garden, imu, hula mound and building a canoe.
* The Waimanalo-based Na Pono No Na ‘Ohana won its three-year grant of $935,279 through Partners in Development (PID) at UH Manoa. Housed at Blanche Pope Elementary, it works with children up to 5 years old and their parents, helping to build school readiness in the keiki as well as financial and decision-making skills for the parents. “We’re really excited because our other grant is about to expire,” said PID’s Laura Dang of Na Pono, which seeks to improve social, economic and educational opportunities for everyone in the child’s family. “It’s an opportunity to serve the people of Waimanalo.”
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