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KS and Board of Education memorandum of understanding paves way for Native Hawaiian success

Hawai‘i State Board of Education Chair Lance Mizumoto and Kamehameha Schools CEO Jack Wong finalize a memorandum of understanding aimed at increasing the educational success of Native Hawaiian learners in the public school system. Attending the signing were KS Kapālama High School Interim Vice Principal Dr. Scott Parker, KS Director of Community Education Wai‘ale‘ale Sarsona, Ke Kula 'o Samuel M. Kamakau Public Charter School Kumu Kalaunuola Domingo and sons - students Kaiao, Kauha'anui and Keao Ku'ikahi, and KS VP of Strategy and Innovation Lauren Nahme.

Hawai‘i State Board of Education Chair Lance Mizumoto and Kamehameha Schools CEO Jack Wong forge a partnership to support the development of Native Hawaiians in the public school system across Hawai‘i.

Kamehameha Schools and the Hawai‘i State Board of Education (BOE) have finalized a memorandum of understanding aimed at increasing the educational success of Native Hawaiian learners enrolled in the public school system.

The agreement, which was unanimously approved at the BOE’s general business meeting at Kailua Intermediate School on Oct. 4, was signed on Nov. 16 by KS Chief Executive Officer Jack Wong and BOE Chairperson Lance Mizumoto at KS’ Kapālama campus.

“This new partnership will help further our ability to support the development of Native Hawaiians in the public school system, where many of our future local and global leaders are being shaped,” says Wong. “It’s a win-win-win situation for all. As we work with the Board and Department of Education, the visions we share for improved education can affect all learners in the system.” 

The accord focuses on three areas: sharing measurements and targets that lead to increased post-secondary completion for all Native Hawaiians; advancing the Hawaiian language as a medium of teaching and learning in the public school system; and promoting Hawaiian culture-based education Hawai‘i-wide. The next step in the process will involve creating memorandums of agreements that support the implementation of Native Hawaiian culture-based education principles.

“This key partnership will support and compliment the work the Board and Department are doing to align its systems with Board Policy E-3, Nā Hopena A‘o,” says Mizumoto. “These actions will ensure that our public education system embodies Hawaiian values, language, culture and history while preparing students for college, career, and citizenship.”

The collaboration marks KS’ fifth recent partnership with a major educational organization that supports KS’ strategic goal of contributing to and enhancing educational systems throughout Hawai‘i.

Since 2015, KS has forged significant educational partnerships with Arizona State University, the University of Hawai‘i System, and Chaminade University of Honolulu.

KS STRATEGIC PLAN 2020
SP2020 is a five-year strategic plan that will guide Kamehameha Schools from 2015 to 2020. The plan marks a starting point toward KS’ Vision 2040, which envisions success for all Native Hawaiian learners.

This KS-BOE partnership addresses Goal 2 and Goal 3 of SP2020 which call for KS to contribute to community efforts for an improved education system and to cultivate Native Hawaiian identity within its learners. It also supports Action 4 of Kamehameha’s Ten Actions for fiscal year 2017, calling for KS to leverage community partnerships to improve educational success across the state.

About Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling over 6,900 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O’ahu, Maui and Hawai’i and 30 preschool sites statewide. Over 41,000 additional Hawaiian learners and their caregivers are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities. Income generated from its Hawai’i real estate and diversified investment portfolio fund the schools’ educational mission almost entirely. For more information, visit www.ksbe.edu

About State of Hawaii Board of Education
The Hawaii State Board of Education formulates statewide educational policy and exercises control over the public school and library systems through its executive officers, the superintendent of education and the state librarian. There are nine Board members, a student council representative and a military liaison. The Board typically meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month to deal with Board business, receive public testimony, and receive reports from the Superintendent and Board committees.