The University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu is offering a trio of summer programs designed to bridge the transition from high school to college for first-time college freshman from the Waiʻanae Coast.

With the Ke Ala Kauwela program, students receive experience, college credit and a $1,500 stipend for their participation in one of three programs: ʻIke Mauli Ola (Pathway to Pre-Nursing), ʻIke ʻAi Pono (Pathway to Education and Sustainable Community Food Systems), or E Holomua a ʻOnipaʻa (Summer Bridge Program).

“These programs were formulated to deal directly with summer ‘melt’—when graduating high school seniors who apply and are accepted to college choose not to attend due to a variety of reasons, such as financial or familial obligations,” UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham said. “Ke Ala Kauwela addresses summer melt by bringing these students on to the UH West Oʻahu campus to experience the benefits of college while receiving a stipend.

“A primary goal of UH West Oʻahu is to provide a wide-range of exciting opportunities to learn and discover. Our summer programs are an excellent way for students to explore career possibilities while being introduced to the college environment.”

Students gain access to UH West Oʻahu’s innovative academic programs such as its pre-nursing pathway or sustainable community food systems, with a curriculum focused on ʻOnipaʻa and place-based education. In E Holomua a ʻOnipaʻa, students build relationships with the campus community, become practitioners of Hawaiian cultural values and transform into role models for the Waiʻanae community.

For more information, visit the UH West Oʻahu Summer Academy website.

Priority application deadline:

March 15, 2017— ʻIke Mauli Ola : Pathway to Pre-Nursing

: Pathway to Pre-Nursing April 1, 2017— ʻIke ʻAi Pono : Education and Sustainable Community Food Systems

: Education and Sustainable Community Food Systems April 1, 2017—E Holomua a ʻOnipaʻa : Summer Bridge Program

For more information on eligibility and application process please read the UH West Oʻahu news release.

—By Leila Wai Shimokawa