Pope School Winning The Anti-Bully Battle

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E Ola Pono recently honored eight student-led initiatives that sought to impact school environments and peers in a positive manner.

“E Ola Pono” means “to live with harmony and respect for everything” and, according to campaign coordinator Sara Banks, it “helps people make positive choices.”

Blanche Pope Elementary School in Waimanalo won the elementary division for its Grow Pono program. It consisted of a Power of Words video, community outreach projects and working on the campus garden.

Castle High and Jarrett Middle schools both earned second place in their respective divisions. Kahaluu and Waiahole Elementary, King Intermediate and the Windward District’s Intensive Learning Center also took second for a combined Ukulele Project. Kahuku Elementary earned honorable mention.

The winners were awarded cash prizes funded by Hawaiian Telecom and the Jack Johnson Ohana Foundation. First-place winners received $1,000, second-place $500 and honorable mention $250.

The aim of the E Ola Pono campaign is to reduce bullying and harassment in schools by teaching students what is pono, or right.