Programs & Services

Kealapono’s programs and services — whether in-school or out-of-school — are Hawaiian culture-based and standards-aligned. Programs and services aim to support students in foundational learnings rooted in Hawaiian culture-based literacy, as well as building their skills for lifelong success.

Kealapono’s programs and services include:

• ‘Ōiwi Leadership Institute: Hawaiian culture-based leadership development program for DOE Complex Area Superintendents and education leaders
• HCBL Educator Support & Development: Services are deployed based on school needs for school leaders and teachers to enhance their educator practice. Example focus areas include leveled literacy intervention, standards implementation design process, informational writing, and Hawaiian culture-based literacy.  
• School Laboratory: Services are co-created with school leaders and teachers to best serve keiki learners, while also building capacity of teachers through on-the-ground supports and coaching. Instruction (co-planning and co-instruction) is standards-aligned to Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
• In-School ʻIke Hawaiʻi: ‘Ike Hawaiʻi instruction aims to root students in place, learning place-based moʻolelo to drive critical inquiry and action as hoa ʻāina advocates.
• Kilohana Hawaiian Culture-Based Literacy: This 4-5 week summer program engages students in place-based learning so that students develop and act out place-based moʻolelo that culminates in a hōʻike to involve their parents and ʻohana in their learning.
• Kumuola Marine Science Center: Based at loko iʻa o Waiāhole near Keaukaha, Kealapono kumu support nearby public school educators in Hawaiian culture-based science lessons that aim to get students to use the scientific process to solve community problems with hands-on application and testing at this fishpond on KS lands.

Educator Support & Development

ESD utilizes a Hawaiian culture-based approach (teaching about and through culture) to support educators to deliver effective educational services. Educator practice — what educators know and are able to do — make a difference for keiki and their learning. This means that our work must invest heavily in educator growth and development. Kealapono works with teachers and education leaders to sustain highly engaging and effective learning environments.

ʻIke Hawaiʻi

Keiki need to be engaged and connected to build meaning in their learning. By embracing the sociocultural realities and histories of keiki through what is taught and how, Kealapono kumu aim to negotiate learning environments that reflect the communities where keiki develop and grow. Kealapono provides students with learning opportunities rooted in ‘ike Hawaiʻi in order to elevate Native Hawaiian identity, agency and academic performance.

ʻOhana Engagement

Kealapono believes in the enduring importance of deep and meaningful ʻohana engagement so that keiki are supported at school and at home. Knowing that mākua (parents) are the first kumu for their keiki, Kealapono’s ʻohana engagement efforts will foster partnerships among schools, ʻohana and the greater kaiāulu (community).