Kanu o Ka ʻĀina awarded funds for research in new Native Hawaiian charter school system

The Kanu o ka ʻĀina Learning ʻOhana is receiving additional funding of $50,000 to support the Native Hawaiian community through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA).

The funds will support the Nā Lei Naʻauao – Alliance for Native Hawaiian Education Annual Conference – Ku‘i ka Lono, which brings together educators and leaders who serve more than 4,600 students across five islands through the Nā Lei Naʻauao network of Hawaiian-focused public charter schools.

During the conference, participants share best practices in place-based and project-based learning rooted in ʻike Hawaiʻi, the perpetuation and revitalization of the Hawaiian culture and language, guided by traditional Hawaiian values.

Through reflection and collaboration, participants deepen their pilina to ʻāina (connection to the land), culture, and community while advancing innovative educational approaches that are both ancient and modern.

“We are deeply grateful to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees and leadership for their continued commitment to strengthening Native Hawaiian education, leadership, and community well-being,” said Taffi Wise, executive director of Kanu o ka ʻĀina Learning ʻOhana. “This partnership reflects Hawaiʻi’s constitutional responsibility to promote Hawaiian education and culture, and affirms that Native Hawaiian resources are most powerful when stewarded by Native Hawaiian organizations serving our communities and advancing solutions designed by and for our lāhui.”

Kanu o ka ʻĀina Learning ʻOhana’s mission is to serve and perpetuate sustainable Hawaiian communities through education with aloha. Some of their programs include:

Mālamapōkiʻi, a family-based preschool program;

Kahoʻiwai – Center for Adult Teaching and Learning, which offers teacher licensing and other adult education programs;

Hoʻokauhale, which provides a variety of after-school, evening, and intersession programs to hundreds of children, youth, and adults on Molokaʻi, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations whose projects and programs serve the Native Hawaiian community.

For more information on community grants, visit the Office of Hawaiian Affairs website.