In a significant step to increase Native Hawaiian student enrollment and graduation rates at the University of �鶹��ý, 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, �鶹��ý Island, and Maui recently returned from an inspiring free five-day huakaʻi (field trip) to California. Hosted by and State of �鶹��ý 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 ����ԴDz�. “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 �鶹��ý’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 �鶹��ý a no laila, e komo ana au i ka mekia o ʻike �鶹��ý. (I see myself majoring in Hawaiian studies because I want to continue learning and better understand �鶹��ý),” 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 ����ԴDz�, 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’ and , has run programs for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade since its inception in 1989.

In an effort to empower and guide Native Hawaiian ʻohana and keiki towards a pathway to higher education, the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa enrichment program, (NPN) launched a new professional development workshop series. Through August and September, NPN UH Mānoa, part of the campus’ and , conducted seven Hoʻokumu Noʻeau professional development workshops on Oʻahu and �鶹��ý Island reaching a total of 86 professionals including educators, social workers, administrators and coordinators from across the state.

“Hoʻokumu Noʻeau was born with impeccable timing due to feedback and requests from the community to learn how some of Nā Pua Noʻeau‘s best practices can be implemented with students,” said Kinohi Gomes, NPN UH Mānoa program director.

• Related UH News story: Native Hawaiian high schoolers immersed in science, more at Mānoa, June 28, 2022

Besides UH Mānoa, the workshops were held in Kapolei, Hilo, Mountain View and Waikoloa, and focused on strategies to help keiki broaden their learning and encourage them to become the reciprocators of learning and teaching with their ʻohana at home.

Tools for haumāna (students)

Each participant was provided up to 25 ʻIke in a Box kits, an array of hands-on projects and materials, to distribute to keiki grades K–5 and their ʻohana. The cultural-based educational kit included activities focused on how the ʻōhiʻa lehua is a metaphor for well-being and resiliency for ʻohana. It featured family engagement projects related to identifying different emotions in Hawaiian and English and ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverbs).

“We know our ʻohana are a vital pillar for the overall academic and inspirational success of our keiki, and it is important that the conversations of acquired knowledge are echoed between the ‘classroom’ and the hale (at home) over time,” said Lisa Letoto-Ohata, NPN UH Mānoa program assistant.

Established in 1989, NPN provides haumāna (students) first-class learning opportunities ranging from visual and culinary arts, literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), aimed at providing direct access and a bridge between the community and higher education.

The inaugural Hoʻokumu Noʻeau workshop series dispersed 1,200 ʻIke in a Box kits and is co-sponsored by the State of �鶹��ý Department of Health in collaboration with Māpuna Lab.

18 haumāna (students) from high schools across �鶹��ý and the continental U.S. are wrapping up a free residential summer program at the , part of a continued push to increase the number of Native Hawaiian students who attend and graduate from UH.

Hosted by , the 12-day Summer Institute engages students in interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math)-based learning rooted in cultural identity.

“The reason why we do intensive programs like the Summer Institute is to give them a taste of what the higher education experience is like, to be in particular departments and places and spaces at the university so that if and when they make that decision to pursue higher education they’re like, ‘Ok! I’ve been here before. I feel comfortable,’” said Kinohi Gomes, director at NPN UH ����ԴDz�.

NPN immerses haumāna in daily cultural protocol such as hula, oli (chant) and activities grounded in mālama ʻāina (caring for the land). Students are also teamed up with STEM majors at UH who mentor them in educational hands-on activities, such as robotics, computer building and coding.

“It’s all about bridging the past with the present, and what we want to be able to do is, along with providing students with a nice cultural foundation, to let them know that they can proceed and interweave technology as a proud Hawaiian in whatever educational and career pathways that they want to pursue,” Gomes explained.

Kūpaʻa ma hope o ka ʻāina: Ever loyal to the land and Native Hawaiian resiliency

18-year-old Deion Peʻa-Whitney is one of the eager student participants this summer. The �鶹��ý Island native recently graduated from Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu, a Hawaiian language immersion charter school, and would like to pursue electrical engineering at UH ����ԴDz�.

“He kanaka hana ʻāina wau, no laila, no koʻu mau lima he ʻano ikaika. No kēia papa, ua aʻo wau e pili ana i ka palekana, ka hoʻomanawa nui me ka ʻenehana. (I usually work with the ʻāina, and it requires a lot of strength in my hands. Today, I learned how I have to be fragile since this is technology. It could easily break. I had to learn to be patient with technology and be comfortable with it),” Whitney explained.

Year-round programming

NPN, which is part of the campus’ and , has run programs for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade since 1989. Centers are stationed at UH ����ԴDz�, UH Hilo, UH Maui College, Kauaʻi Community College and UH West Oʻahu. NPN provides haumāna of all ages along with their ʻohana a plethora of first-class learning opportunities ranging from visual and culinary arts, literacy and STEM aimed at providing direct access and a bridge between the community and higher education.

“Part of our equation is to include mentors, teachers, resources from both our university and the community that can allow and provide the bigger picture of how technology and STEM can be such an easy streamlined opportunity for students that are looking at that as a possible career and educational pathway,” Gomes said.

​​The Nā Pua Noʻeau UH ����ԴDz� Summer Institute collaborated with the U.S. Department of Education-Native Hawaiian education program, State of �鶹��ý Department of Education (DOE) Office of Hawaiian Education Department, DOE Community Engagement Branch, UH ����ԴDz� Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program, the �鶹��ý Department of Health, Kamehameha Schools and Project Kuleana.

For more information go to the website.

A University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� program aimed at increasing the number of Native Hawaiian students who attend and graduate from a UH campus earned a coveted award for its efforts. (NPN) UH ����ԴDz� received the 2022 (HCAN) “Champions for Children Unsung Hero” award, which recognizes individuals who made a profound difference for keiki in their community.

NPN program Director Kinohi Gomes and Program Assistant Lisa Letoto-Ohata beat out more than 90 nominees. HCAN honored the program’s dedication to �鶹��ý‘s keiki and their ʻohana.

“Nā Pua Noʻeau UH ����ԴDz� has developed and tested virtual programs containing hands-on and interactive culture-based learning that is rooted in cultural identity,“ said Letoto-Ohata. “Using the ʻohana as the backbone of learning and development, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), literacy, and college and career pathways are integrated into each session.”

NPN, which is part of the campus’ and , has run programs for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade since 1989. Centers are stationed at UH ����ԴDz�, UH Hilo, UH Maui College, Kauaʻi Community College and UH West Oʻahu. NPN provides haumāna (students) of all ages along with their ʻohana a plethora of first-class learning opportunities ranging from visual and culinary arts, literacy and STEM aimed at providing direct access and a bridge between the community and higher education.

Gomes and Letoto-Ohata will be honored at the HCAN Champions for Children annual fundraiser and awards ceremony on April 6 at The Royal Hawaiian hotel.

This program is an example of UH ����ԴDz�’s goal of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

�鶹��ý high schoolers are invited to We Go Kākou, a free informational virtual session filled with swag, games, prizes and hands-on activities for haumāna (students) considering college.

(NPN), a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa college enrichment program geared toward increasing the number of Native Hawaiian students who attend and graduate from a UH campus, will host free online events in February 2022 for high school students and their ʻohana (family). Students can sign up for either the February 2 or 16 virtual session set for 5:30–7:30 p.m. Registration is required to participate.

“The overall intent of We Go Kākou is to excite �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s students about higher education and have them enrolled in college as an option and a link to broadened career opportunities,” said Kinohi Gomes, NPN UH Mānoa director.

Space is limited and open to 200 seniors and 300 9th through 11th graders. NPN, which is part of the campus’s , has run programs for students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade since 1989 and has centers at UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, UH Maui College, Kauaʻi Community College and UH West Oʻahu. NPN provides haumāna of all ages along with their ʻohana a plethora of first-class learning opportunities aimed at providing direct access and a bridge between the community and higher education.

Learning opportunities are held in collaboration with university and community organizations including the at UH Mānoa, �鶹��ý Department of Education, Project KULEANA, Kamehameha Schools and Liliʻuokalani Trust.

The University of �鶹��ý has enriched the educational opportunities for thousands of Hawaiian children and families across the state of �鶹��ý since 1989. Many have gone on to attend and graduate from UH campuses and are making positive and significant contributions within their communities.

UH is pleased to announce the full institutionalization/integration of the Nā Pua Noʻeau mission and vision into campus programs at UH Hilo, UH ����ԴDz�, UH Maui College, Kauaʻi Community College and UH West Oʻahu. These campuses will continue to support and expand that mission and vision to nurture the educational continuum by strengthening the cultural identity of Native Hawaiians while providing multifaceted opportunities for college degree completion and career pathways to prepare them as global leaders.

Programs offered by the Nā Pua Noʻeau-Oʻahu will be integrated into the Native Hawaiian Student Services unit within the �鶹��ýnuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at UH ����ԴDz�. The Nā Pua Noʻeau-Maui program will become part of the Office of the Chancellor at UH Maui College, working within the Office of Institutional Research. Nā Pua Noʻeau–Kauaʻi will become part of the Student Advising Office in the division of Student Affairs at Kauaʻi Community College. The Nā Pua Noʻeau-Hilo team will be integrated into the Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center and Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikolani/College of Hawaiian Language at UH Hilo. UH West Oʻahu will be receiving a vacant Na Pua Noʻeau position, which will be assigned to provide similar programs in West Oʻahu.

Na Pua Noʻeau–The Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children at  has received funding from the (OHA) ʻAhahui Grants to strengthen its impact on the state. The center will work in partnership with other UH campuses to deliver programs and events to promote higher education opportunities for high school student.

UH Maui College event

On February 23, 2017, Na Pua Noʻeau will present E Hoʻokamaʻaina at to inspire students to enter into higher education and further their career aspirations. High school juniors and seniors will learn about the various degree programs at UH Maui College from faculty and program coordinators. OHA awarded a total of $5,300 for this event.

UH Mānoa event

Ma Uka a i Kai Akamai Engineers will be held on April 3, 2017 at the . K–12 students and their ʻohana will explore hands-on how engineering practices (mechanical, electric, civil, etc.) were applied during the days of their kupuna. The is a partner in the event and OHA awarded $1,950 to this program.

ʻAhahui Grants support community events that meet at least one primary strategic result. The events will address OHA’s Exceed Education Standards and UH’s �鶹��ý Graduation Initiative.

—By Alyson Kakugawa-Leong

The University of �鶹��ý Mānoa’s hosted students from as far away as Lānai for the 2016 Fall Teen Health Camp on November 19. The free, one-day event introduced students in grades 6 to 12 to workshops and interactive skill demonstrations presented by medical students and partners with the UH Mānoa to inspire them into a variety of career options in the health professions.

Teen Health Camp encourages students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in healthcare. The rapidly aging population in �鶹��ý makes it critically important to build the state’s future healthcare workforce.

“Any student who participates in Teen Health Camp will meet professional role models from their communities and will come away with the understanding that there are a wealth of challenges, personal qualities and technical skills which can make a career in the health are industry exciting,” said Agnes Malate, current director of UH Mānoa Health Careers Partnership Program.

Teen Health Camp is a collaboration of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Na Pua Noʻeau, and Health Careers Partnership Program.

Read more about the event at the .

—By Tina Shelton

The is providing a total of $896,232 to at the University of �鶹��ý. Nā Pua Noʻeau provides Native Hawaiian students kindergarten thru college with learning opportunities as a University of �鶹��ý center. Students have direct access to UH’s facilities and faculty where they are guided and supported in their educational and career goals.

Currently Nā Pua Noʻeau has staff and offices at University of �鶹��ý campuses across the state—, , and .

More about Nā Pua Noʻeau

In 2015, Nā Pua Noʻeau will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. Throughout the years the center has supported thousands of students in their educational and career goals and has made significant impacts in the recruitment and graduation of Native Hawaiian students at University of �鶹��ý’s campuses. In the fall of 2013, Nā Pua Noʻeau graduates made up 9 percent of the Native Hawaiian students enrolled UH and in the spring 2013 it was 13 percent.

Along with the enrollment and graduation of Native Hawaiian students, Nā Pua Noʻeau is also committed to creating opportunities and supporting Native Hawaiian students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and health career pathways. In the fall of 2013, Nā Pua Noʻeau students made up 11 percent of all of the Native Hawaiian students enrolled in STEM fields and 9 percent of all of the Native Hawaiian students enrolled in health fields in the UH System.

For more information on Nā Pua Noʻeau, including registration, contact representatives on the respective campuses:

• UH Hilo: (808) 974-7678
• UH Mānoa: (808) 956-9410
• Kauaʻi Community College: (808) 241-3238
• UH Maui College: (808) 984-3364
• ����Բ�ʻ�� High and Elementary School: (808) 565-9100
• UH Center, West �鶹��ý: (808) 322-4867

and the at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa will host Teen Health Camp �鶹��ý on Saturday, February 2, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. at the cafeteria.

This one-day, free event will introduce students in grades 8–12 to dynamic opportunities in a wide assortment of healthcare careers. Interactive workshops and skill demonstrations will be presented by community healthcare professionals, undergraduates from UH Mānoa’s Health Careers Opportunity Program, and students from the .

Camp activities

• “Stitch it Up” will put surgical instruments in teen hands with detailed instructions on how to suture abrasions on a simulated human arm.
• “Casting Call” will enable participants to apply and remove real casting material, as seen on the televised ER and in actual emergency rooms.
• “Local Grindz” will explore the theory that “you are what you eat.”
• “Decisions we Make” will give help in connecting the dots between strategic planning and future success.
• “Your Future in Healthcare” will light the way to rewarding healthcare careers.
• “Ola Pono” will spotlight the vibrant healing traditions of Native Hawaiians.

In addition, booths will offer a variety of resources to help �鶹��ý youngsters attain the education and training required in more than 20 professions that serve the healthcare needs of all �鶹��ý.

“The main purpose of the camp is to encourage Native Hawaiian and other students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue work in the healthcare professions, which are expected to generate a growing number of jobs in �鶹��ý in the near future,” said Kinohi Gomes, Nā Pua Noʻeau director of operations.

The Teen Health Camp was originally created by a group of JABSOM medical students interested in promoting social justice by boosting recruitment of a diverse and community-based healthcare labor force in underserved areas of �鶹��ý.

“Any student who participates in the Teen Health Camp will meet professional role models from their own communities and will come away with the understanding that there is a wealth of enjoyable challenges, personal qualities and technical skills inherent in health care delivery.” said Agnes Malate, Health Careers Opportunity Program director.

—Adapted from a