KS, UH and Chaminade to celebrate new collaborative learning space in Mō'ili'ili

Hālau ʻĪnana ma Kapaʻakea is a collaborative learning space on KS land in in Mōʻiliʻili. Its programs will focus on Native Hawaiian leadership development, social entrepreneurship, and innovation to support students as they transition from high school to college and onto careers. Image courtesy of DTL.

Aug. 17, 2017

Contributed by Chayla Nakamoto

Kamehameha Schools has partnered with the University of Hawaiʻi and Chaminade University of Honolulu to create Hālau ʻĪnana ma Kapaʻakea, a collaborative learning space that connects, engages and facilitates the success of students as they transition from high school to college and onto careers.

The Mōʻiliʻili center is home to a unique educational incubator program designed to strengthen Hawai‘i’s capacity to nurture, educate and uplift students and learners within the communities it serves.

An August 24 blessing and grand opening will debut the learning space to the community where educational partners such as Moonshot Laboratory Hawaiʻi, Hoʻokele Strategies, and Oceanit will be demonstrating the innovative programming that happens throughout the year.

“We are excited to collaborate with these dynamic organizations and work towards a unified objective to increase postsecondary success for our lāhui,” said Hailama Farden, KS Community Engagement and Resources regional director for Kona Oʻahu. “These programs support incubating new businesses and product ideas, along with developing solutions for challenging community and business concerns.”

Hālau ʻĪnana will enable learners to engage in highly creative, culturally-grounded, interdisciplinary collaboration with students from various colleges and programs. The learning center will also provide access to equipment, researchers, mentors, and industry experts.

“The educational programs and services offered at the newly formed innovation hub aim to create new interactions, collisions and engagement which allow our learners and educators to tap into their innate creativity and ingenuity,” said KS Executive Strategy Consultant Stacy Clayton.

Hālau ʻĪnana is located next to the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi at 2438 South Beretania St. on KS land. Programs will focus on three areas: Native Hawaiian leadership development, social entrepreneurship and innovation.

Hālau ʻĪnana offers several flexible spaces for public and private events, programs and meetings for a maximum capacity of 175 individuals. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. For a list of facility amenities, please visit www.halauinana.com or call 534-8297.

Chayla Nakamoto is a 2014 Kamehameha Schools Kapālama graduate serving as a communications intern with the Communications Group. She is a senior attending the University of Southern California where she will complete her bachelor of arts degree in English and is currently considering career options in publishing.

Hālau ʻĪnana ma Kapaʻakea

NAME
Hālau (meeting house) references the physical facility, and ʻĪnana refers to animation and activity - the spark of creation, with the intent being that Hālau ʻĪnana be a site where good, innovative work comes to life.

LINEAGE
Hālau ʻĪnana ma Kapaʻakea pays respect to the moʻokūʻauhau and traditional place name of Kapaʻakea. These lands were passed down from Victoria Kamamalu to Mataio Kekūanāo‘a, from Lot Kapuāiwa Kamehameha V to Ruth Ke‘elikōlani, and finally to Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

The collaborative learning space includes a ground-floor meeting area.