The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language’s laboratory school is the recipient of one of the highest awards given by the National Indian Education Association for its work in Hawaiian medium-immersion education in Hawaii.
Ke Kula ‘o Nawahiokalani‘opu‘u will be awarded the William Demmert Freedom Fighter award in October in Hartford, Conn. The award is an NIEA board-nominated award that recognizes an organization for its success and the positive impact it has on native student academic achievement.
Ke Kula ‘o Nawahiokalani‘opu‘u is a laboratory school for UH-Hilo and an extension of the Punana Leo language preschools, contributing to the P-20 mauli ola education system. Established in 1999, the school is located in Keaau and operates as both a charter and state school within a single K-12 campus.
Kauanoe Kamana, faculty at Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani and director of Ke Kula ‘o Nawahiokalani‘opu‘u, explained, “Nawahi is designed for families, teachers and staff who have chosen to speak Hawaiian as the first and main language of the home, and also for those who are in the process of establishing Hawaiian as the dominant language of the home. Academics and global learning are developed and applied through economic, social and cultural interaction with the broader world. Nawahi is a model for indigenous language and academic success with over 85 percent of its students continuing on to higher education.”
Keiki Kawai‘ae‘a, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani’s director, said “From humble beginnings and through the tenacious commitment of its leadership, teachers and families, Ke Kula ‘o Nawahiokalani‘opu‘u has been a trailblazer in the advancement of Hawaiian medium education. William Demmert was a strong advocate of language revitalization programs, which makes this prestigious recognition a special honor.”