Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 12, 1 December 1998 — OHA supports Maui Hawaiian language immersion facility [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA supports Maui Hawaiian language immersion facility

WAILUKU - At its Oct. 28 meeting on Kaua'i, the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs approved a grant of $500,000 to Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui, Ine., toward the construction of the new Pūnana Leo o Maui Hawaiian Immersion Preschool and Family Language Resource Center. Established as a non-profit agency in 1989, Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui, the Punana Leo preschool's eommunity support group, is building a new state-of-the-art childhood education facility and resource center to be used by various Hawaiian programs and

organizations includ-

ing Hui no ke Ola Pono, Alu Like, Mōhala Ka 'Ike, Nā Pua No'eau, Hālau Hula Makani Wili Mākaha o Kaua'ula and Pā'ū o Hi'iaka. The complex will be located on 1 .68 acres granted through a long-term leasc from Maui County in Wailuku at the corner of Liholihe and Lunalilo streets. "We are thrilled to receive this blessing from these leaders in the Hawaiian community," Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui president Sandy Baz said of the OHA grant. "The trustees have recog-

nized that this president facility will empower us to bring the language and culture to more people throughout Maui."

The Maui Architectural Group of Wailuku has designed the new facility to reflect a Hawaiian kauhale (group of related structure) with classrooms, a kitchen, offices and multi-purpose facilities. The center is scheduled for completion by the end of 2000. With a total capital campaign goal of $2.5 million, Nā : Leo Pūlama o Maui is confident that it will raise the i balance of the funds. Contributions are gratefully accepted by Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui at P.O. Box 1038, Wailuku, HI 96793. For additional information, eall 944-5676 (Mani! ■

The new Punana Leo o Maui Hawaiian lmmersion Preschool and Family Language Resource Center will reflect a traditiona! design.