MEDIA RELEASE

Native designed and controlled public charter schools will share their educational practices and accomplishments among themselves and with other indigenous educators, parents and interested stakeholders at the 10th Annual Kui Ka Lono – Indigenous Education Conference on Oahu.

The two-day Kui Ka Lono conference provides a venue to share best practices in indigenous education with native students and educators from around the world.

Kui Ka Lono is Thursday, March 8 and Friday, March 9 at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa in Honolulu. Thursday will focus on student, teacher and community presentations with an evening of cultural performances. Friday will include site visits to several public charter schools and service learning projects.

Kui Ka Lono (to spread the news) offers conference attendees an opportunity to share how EA-Education with Aloha impacts students, staff, communities and the environment. This annual gathering also conveys innovative curriculum, instruction and assessment practices, and individual school growth.

Discussions include organizational advances, fundraising strategies, and fiscal, bureaucratic and legislative challenges.

“By sharing strategies for success, Kui Ka Lono helps native communities create quality, culturally-driven schools and programs that empower native students to walk successfully in two worlds and assure that No Child Is Left Behind,” said Taffi Wise, executive director with Kanu o ka Aina Learning Ohana (KALO).

Kui Ka Lono is sponsored by Na Lei Naauao – Native Hawaiian Charter School Alliance comprised of 12 independent Hawaiian-focused charter schools.

Located on Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii Island, these schools are providing viable choices in public education for more than 3,000 Native Hawaiian students interested in perpetuating Hawaiian language, culture and traditions, while acquiring the skills to succeed as 21st century global citizens.

This conference project is also sponsored by a $10,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, working to improve the lives of the Native Hawaiian community.

Other Kui Ka Lono 2012 supporters include Kamehameha Schools and Hawai‘i Public Charter School Network (HCSN).

For conference details contact Kaiulani Pahio at (808) 887-1117 or email NLN@kalo.org

Kanu o ka aina literally means plants of the land and figuratively refers to natives of the land from generations back. Incorporated in 2000 as a Native Hawaiian non-profit, Kanu o ka Aina Learning Ohana (KALO) provides viable choices in education, which empower Hawaiian learners of all ages to remain natives of the Hawaiian Islands inhabited by our people for more than 2000 years. 

KALO’s womb-to-tomb programs constitute a dynamic intergenerational family of learners comprised of educators, students, parents, extended families, community supporters and partnering organizations dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaii’s native language, culture and traditions. 

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is a unique, independent state agency established through the Hawaii State Constitution and statutes to advocate for the betterment of conditions of all Native Hawaiians with a Board of Trustees elected by the voters of Hawaii.

OHA is guided by a vision and mission to ensure the perpetuation of the culture, to protect the entitlements of Native Hawaiians, and to build a strong and healthy Hawaiian people and nation.

— Find out more:
www.kalo.org
www.oha.org