In a significant step to increase Native Hawaiian student enrollment and graduation rates at the University of Hawaiʻi, a new program tailored for Hawaiian immersion students is paving the way for future leaders. The year-round initiative, Nā ʻŌpio Kaʻapeha, opens the door for haumāna in grades 6–12 to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) pathways within higher education.
In early October, 17 haumāna from Kula Kaiapuni schools across Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui recently returned from an inspiring free five-day huakaʻi (field trip) to California. Hosted by Nā Pua Noʻeau (NPN) UH Mānoa and State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education Office of Hawaiian Education, haumāna engaged in hands-on STEAM experiences at Disney’s Imagination Campus and iconic museums, enhancing their research skills related to ʻāina (land).
“We want to inspire Hawaiian immersion students through exceptional opportunities that are rooted in the richness of Hawaiian language and culture,” said Kinohi Gomes, director at Nā Pua Noʻeau UH Mānoa. “By bridging their middle and high school education with postsecondary and career pathways, it can open doors to a wealth of university and community resources.”
Creating Hawaiian leaders
Launched in fall 2023, the NPN program’s theme, ʻĀina Kau I Ka Wēkiu—Our Pristine Uplands, encouraged students to set goals and develop perspectives as future leaders and caretakers of Hawaiʻi’s natural resources. Monthly huakaʻi focused on the history and significance of various wahi pana (storied places) on their islands, allowing haumāna to connect ʻāina-based learning with real-world experiences at UH campuses.
“Makemake au e hoʻomau i ke aʻo ʻana no Hawaiʻi a no laila, e komo ana au i ka mekia o ʻike Hawaiʻi. (I see myself majoring in Hawaiian studies because I want to continue learning and better understand Hawaiʻi),” said Kaleonahe Paleka, a junior at Ke Kula Kaiapuni O Ānuenue.
This past June, nearly 100 Native Hawaiian students participated in NPN’s two-week Summer Institute at UH Mānoa, where they engaged in hands-on activities ranging from brain anatomy to lei making.
For 11th grader Kekaimalino Yanagi, the trip to California reshaped his approach to college applications.
“Noʻu ke kula nui, kamaʻilio lākou e pili ana i ka hoʻohana i nā mea i loaʻa ʻoe. E like me ka kumu, ke kumu kākoʻo, kou a…nā papa tuta, no ka mea, kōkua lākou iā ʻoe, kēlā kā lākou hana, kā lākou ʻoihana. (It helped me understand what resources I should use like my teachers or my counselor. And how I should go to them for help instead of trying to do it by myself),” Yanagi said.
NPN, which is part of the campus’ Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge and Native Hawaiian Student Services, has run programs for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade since its inception in 1989.
