In support of its goal to become a model indigenous serving institution, the University of Hawaiʻi has been awarded almost $3.9 million in grants by the U.S. Department of Education’s Native Hawaiian Education Program.

“These grants will develop innovative education programs to assist Native Hawaiians and to supplement and expand existing programs and authorities,” said UH President David Lassner. “We credit and thank our hard working, committed faculty and staff across the UH System and our congressional delegation for their strong support in advancing UH as a model indigenous serving institution.”

The grants went to the UH Hilo Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language Hale Kuamoʻo Hawaiian Language Center and various programs at UH Mānoa’s Colleges of Education and Engineering and its Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity.

UH Hilo

Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani, Hale Kuamoʻo, “Kūkulu Kumuhana K–3 Hawaiian Language Student and Family Literacy Project” ($634,437) will develop informational Hawaiian language books, curricula, teacher training and family literacy workshops for Hawaiian language medium students in the target early elementary grade levels.

UH Mānoa

College of Education, Center on Disability Studies/University Affiliated Programs, “Literacy through Digital Media K–3” ($576,251) will improve the academic outcomes of Native Hawaiian children in Hawaiʻi’s elementary schools by introducing culturally relevant technology lessons to grades K–3 and training Department of Education teachers, educational assistants and kūpuna to enhance the language arts experience of students by integrating culturally relevant technology lessons into instruction.

College of Education, Curriculum Research and Development Group, “Mohala I Ke Ao: A culturally-responsive, multi-tiered beginning reading support system for schools and communities with diverse learners” ($447,071) meets critical needs in 12 elementary schools in the state and addresses beginning reading and literacy needs of at-risk children and youth and Native Hawaiian underemployment.

College of Education, Center on Disability Studies/University Affiliated Programs, “Ka Pilina Noʻeau” ($489,944) will develop, implement and replicate the math and science learning model to enhance educational services and ultimately improve the math and science outcomes of Native Hawaiian children and youth.

College of Engineering, “Hoʻomānalowai: STEM Student and Teacher Preparation Program” ($604,230) will provide scholarship and academic support to a minimum of 160 undergraduate students at six Native Hawaiian-serving UH campuses on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island; will conduct STEM enrichment and pre-college workshops for 180 parents and students with Nā Pua Noʻeau; and will advance science and math skills for 120 students via a partnership of joint K–5 STEM teaching activities at Mālama Honua Public Charter School in Waimānalo, Oʻahu.

Vice Chancellor for Students, Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity, “Manawa Kūpono: Supporting At-Risk Native Hawaiian Students to Succeed in College” ($606,617) will increase the college readiness, access and success for Native Hawaiian students from high-poverty schools on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi. In contrast to other college readiness programs, this program will provide intensive and individualized services to a targeted group of students who are most at-risk of not attending college.

Vice Chancellor for Students, Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity, “Ka Waihona o Naʻauao Whole School Place-based Learning and Community Engagement in School” ($531,154) will focus on serving all 680 students, grades K–8, and their 48 teachers and coaches at Ka Waihona o Naʻauao. The goal of this project is to support the academic achievement and aspirations of Ka Waihona o Naʻauao students.

—By Kelli Trifonovitch