The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo¡¯s ¡¯s laboratory school received one of the highest awards given by the for its work in Hawaiian medium-immersion education.
is a laboratory school for UH Hilo and an extension of the Pu?nana Leo language preschools. The school will receive the William Demmert freedom fighter award, which recognizes an organization for its success and positive impact on native student academic achievement.
“From humble beginnings and through the tenacious commitment of its leadership, teachers and families, Ke Kula ʻo Na?wahi?okalaniʻo?puʻu has been a trailblazer in the advancement of Hawaiian medium education,” said Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa, Ka Haka ʻUla O °±ðʻ±ð±ô¾±°ì¨±ô²¹²Ô¾±¡¯s director. “William Demmert was a strong advocate of language revitalization programs, which makes this prestigious recognition a special honor.”
Established in 1999, Ke Kula ʻo Na?wahi?okalaniʻo?puʻu is located in Keaʻau on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island and operates as a K–12 charter and state school.
“Na?wahi? 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,” said Kauanoe Kaman¨¡, faculty at Ka Haka ʻUla O °±ðʻ±ð±ô¾±°ì¨±ô²¹²Ô¾± and director of Ke Kula ʻo Na?wahi?okalaniʻo?puʻu. “Academics and global learning are developed and applied through economic, social and cultural interaction with the broader world. Na?wahi? is a model for indigenous language and academic success with over 85 percent of its students continuing on to higher education.”
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