Na Pua No`eau is calling on all of its former students to come and be recognized at its “Hawaiian Family AfFair” being held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus.
The theme for the 22nd annual edition of the event held by the Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children is “E Ola Koa: Living long and strong like a koa tree in the forest.”
Center officials said more than 16,000 native Hawaiian children from across the state and around the globe have participated in a Na Pua No`eau activity since its first event was held in 1990.
They said the goal of the center is to provide educational enrichment that guides students to learn through the Hawaiian culture.
“The best way to describe the program’s impact on students is that the students create a healthy life and lifestyle for themselves, their family and their community,” said Executive Director David Sing.
“The Center helps them define and understand themselves as Hawaiians and to build a future that acknowledges and embraces who they are in the evolving world.”
Sing said approximately 18% of the native Hawaiian students currently attending UH-Hilo and 17% at Hawai`i Community College are products of the Na Pua No`eau pipeline.
The fair’s activities include exhibit booths, free health screenings, a keiki fitness center, arts and crafts booths, make-and-take workshops, entertainment and food booths.
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