April 11, 2006
Contributed by Liz Ahana
"Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation, a charitable support organization to Kamehameha Schools is committed to an educational focus on the prenatal to eight-year-old population," said Dee Jay Mailer, Foundation President and CEO of Kamehameha Schools. "We are extremely happy that the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation shares a similar interest. Our overarching shared goal of this five-year collaboration is to build capacity in several Windward O'ahu communities so that every child has the best possible chance of being able to meet or exceed reading standards by the end of the third grade," she said.
This partnership directly supports Strategic Priority One of Kamehameha Schools' Education Strategic Plan, which aims to build momentum in a Native Hawaiian child's first eight years and then supporting that child at critical points during their educational journey.
"Native Hawaiian children in DOE schools within communities like Waimanalo, Ko'olauloa and Ko'olaupoko will benefit from this collaboration as funds will be utilized to directly support efforts to raise reading achievement and learning opportunities," said Lynn Maunakea, Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation executive director.
Other priority initiatives include supporting family and child learning opportunities; increasing collaboration with health care providers to ensure early detection of health and learning challenges; supporting the development of additional preschool learning opportunities; and the addition of qualified literacy professionals to work one-on-one with those children in need.
A special mahalo ceremony in honor of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation took place on Tuesday, April 11.
Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation is a Hawai'i nonprofit corporation recognized as a 501(c)(3) charitable support organization of Kamehameha Schools. The Foundation's mission is to perpetuate the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop by seeking and developing new and diverse sources of income to support the ever-increasing educational needs and goals of people of Hawaiian ancestry.
Since 1962, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation has worked to build resrouces for Hawaii's future through its grantmaking. Current priorities include public education redesign and enhancement, near-shore marine resource conservation, and strengthening vibrant communities in Windward O'ahu.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
