Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 8, 1 August 2014 — Hawaiian language preschools earn international recognition [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian language preschools earn international recognition

By Mary Aliee Ka'iulani Milham School may be out, but 'Aha Pūnana Leo's preschool program just got an excellent report card, distinguishing it as the world's first indigenous language preschool to receive accreditation by the international body known as WINHEC. The accreditation, from the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium, follows a January visit by indigenous language experts from Hawai'i, Norway, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Alaska. The accreditation panel visited three APL preschools, conducted interviews with kūpuna, staff and families, and reviewed administrative records. William "Pila" Wilson, Ph.D., of Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikōlani, the state's Hawaiian language college at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo, says APL's accreditation is good news for indigenous languages worldwide. "We have broken a wall that's been existing throughout the United States and even in other countries," he said.

The WINHEC accreditation ensures continued funding by Kamehameha Schools' Pauahi Keiki Scholars, whieh had recently made accreditation a prerequisite for funding. It also plays into APL's ability to gain additional outside support, especially in an environment where funding depends on demonstrating quality. "Everyone's talking quality, quality, quality so that's going to be driving a lot of funding that comes to states," adds Nāmaka Rawlins, APL's director of strategic partnerships and collaboration. Wilson, who along with his wife, APL board president Kauanoe Kamanā, is among the founders of APL, also stressed the importance of attracting hnaneial support. "One of our challenges ... is being able to fund the preschools," he said. "We don't have any source of money other than what we charge the families. And the communities that tend to be really interested in the Pūnana Leo are high Hawaiian concentration, where the ineome is not so high." Wilson acknowledged the role OHA and its trustees have played, supporting APL throughout the years and in particular mentioned a letter

from CEO Kamana'opono Crabbe, supporting WINHEC accreditation. "Having that letter is indicative of having the support of the larger Hawaiian community," says Wilson, "because OHA represents the Hawaiian community and is an official agency." "That letter opens up the actual report from the accrediting committee, so I think that's very important that we had that support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs," says Rawlins. Wilson acknowledged Keiki Kawai'ae'a, Ph.D., director of Ka Haka 'Ula SEE WINHEŪ ON PAGE 14

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WINHEC Executive Co-Chair Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright and keiki of the 'Aha Pūnana Leo preschools embraced after the presentation of full accreditation to the Hawaiian language-based organization in May. - Courtesy:APL

WINHEO

Continued from page 6 O Ke'elikōlani, for informing APL of WINHEC's desire to expand its accreditation program to include early childhood education. Kawai'ae'a also established earlier connections to WINHEC that, in 2009, helped the college obtain the first college-level indigenous language accreditation in the United States. Rawlins, who served as APL's executive director for 20 years, says realizing the accreditation also took the concerted effort of the entire organization. "We worked really, really hard with our families and our staff . . . everybody kind of eame through getting behind the idea of going for the accreditation." Founded 30 years ago with an all-volunteer staff, 'Aha Pūnana Leo (language nest) is the oldest

indigenous language preschool in the United States and the second oldest, after the Maori program, in the world. "The way we ran the Pūnana Leo in the beginning was to re-create, as best as possible, a traditional Hawaiian extended family," says

Wilson. "So we had the kūpuna as the lead person in charge." Students are immersed in Hawaiian, at school as well as at home, relying on the 'ike (knowledge) of kūpuna for program guidance. Kūpuna have been fundamental to the program from the begin-

ning and were also interviewed by the accreditation panel, including 'Anakala (Unele) Isaiah Kealoha, from Puna, and 'Anakē (Aunty) Lolena Nicholas, from Ni'ihau, who was the original teacher for the Pūnana Leo O Honolulu. For Wilson, being first in the

world is more than an honor. "It's humbling, because so many of these other groups supported us to be the first," he said. "I think that's really important, not only for the 'Aha Pūnana Leo, but for Hawai'i." APL's newest preschool, at the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa, opened in 2012. Classes are also being added at Pūnana Leo o Wai'anae and Pūnana Leo o Ko'olau Poko, in Kāne'ohe. "We grow as communities desire and facilities heeome available," says Rawlins. "We continue to look for opportunities that we ean expand and, of course, have the teachers and staff, so we ean fill those schools and their communities' wishes to have an 'Aha Pūnana Leo." ■

Marv Ali.ce Ka'iulani Milham, a Portland, Oregon-based freelance journalist, is a former newspaper reporter and columnist from California 's Central Coast.

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Members of the 'Aha Pūnana Leo 'ohana gathered with members of the World lndigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium visiting eommittee, wearing lei, following an onsite review of the Hawaiian language-based preschool organization. The weeklong accreditation review was conducted in January. - Courtesy:APL