Special Section:
KS Annual Report Fiscal Year 2010 Page 13
HO‘OILO (WINTER) 2011
PUBLISHED FOR THE KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ‘OHANA
Lands-on Learning
Keauhou-Kahalu‘u Education Group cultivates ‘äina-based cultural education
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he North Kona region of Keauhou was the birthplace of Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III), who believed that education was key to the survival of his people. During his reign, Kauikeaouli established a school system that integrated Hawaiian language and culture into Western education. The schools were so successful that at the end of his 30-year reign in 1854, Hawai‘i was one of the most literate nations in the world. Today, culturally integrated education is once again being cultivated in Keauhou and its neighboring ahupua‘a Kahalu‘u, on lands owned by Kamehameha Schools (KS) and its for-profit subsidiary Kamehameha Investment Corporation (KIC). The ‘äinabased programs, delivered through a Hawaiian cultural
is the Kamehameha Schools Keauhou-Kahalu‘u Education Group (KKEG), headed by vice president Greg Chun KSK’73, Ph.D. KKEG is cultivating collaborations with the Keauhou and Kahalu‘u communities, the Department of Education, the University of Hawai‘i system and nonprofit organizations to offer learning opportunities to students, teachers, community members and visitors. “The KeauhouKahalu‘u Education Group serves as a piko for Kamehameha’s cultural education programs in West Hawai‘i,” Chun said. “Our programs fulfill the mission of Kamehameha Schools in a very unique way by integrating education, land-stewardship, culture and community-building. We’re creating a model for what education can look like beyond our campus walls.” Formed in 2009, KKEG is building upon cultural education programs started by KIC in 2007.
KIC has kuleana for the cultural assets and development of the 2,400-acre Keauhou Resort, which includes two hotels, a shopping center, golf courses, homes and over 50 historical sites. “KKEG is working closely with KIC to restore cultural and community vibrance to the Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino student Hero Wooching fishes a non-native tilapia fish out of Po‘o Hawai‘i Pond region.” Chun said, “That restoration will in Keauhou as Kahaola Camara looks on. include the addition of innovative programs and parta team of employees with ties nerships, and the development of to the ‘äina. That team, now a cultural education center.” working under KKEG, oversees Prior to being named vice the development and delivery president of KKEG, Chun was of educational programs. It is a president of KIC where he responsibility that they take to guided the implementation of heart. the Keauhou Master Plan which “It’s exciting for me as an focused on preserving the culeducator and someone born and tural significance of raised on Hawai‘i island to see the region. learners – keiki, mäkua, or maliWhile at hini – make a familiar connection the helm of to the environment,” said Darlene KIC, Chun continued on page 8 assembled
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framework, teach students of all ages to respect the region’s sacred places. Through the programs, Po‘o Hawai‘i Pond, where Hawaiian royalty once bathed, has become a site for the study of phytoplankton. An ancient Hawaiian hölua course is now used to teach plane table mapping. And Kahalu‘u Bay, once dotted with canoe landings, now serves as a classroom for reef-care education. Leading the charge toward ‘äina-based cultural education
Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino high school students Kaumuali‘i Kaliliwai-Ching (left) and Pualani Ubando collect a water sample from the historic Po‘o Hawai‘i Pond.