Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 4, 1 April 2013 — Summer Institute returning to Hilo, Mānoa [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Summer Institute returning to Hilo, Mānoa

By Sarah Paeheeo magine spending your summer vacation exploring rainforests on Hawai'i Island in search of native 'i'iwi, the Hawaiian honeycreeper. Or how about getting your feet wet - literally - as you collect data from beaches and underwater habitats; or learning how to carve wood, stone and bone you collected yourself from 0'ahu's wooded mountains; or cooking a hot dog using energy harnessed from the sun? Nā Pua No'eau has been transforming the way keiki think about summer school since the creation of its Summer Institute 23 years ago. "The way we approach things is not like a traditional classroom," says David Sing, Nā Pua No'eau executive director and project director. "Our philosophy is that the kids leam better when they have a hands-on, authentic learning environment and ean connect the learning to their community and culture." The Summer Institute program, called "SI" for short, was established in 1990 out of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and today operates various classes at both UH-Hilo and UH-Mānoa for students from throughout Hawai'i andthe U.S. continent. During these two-week residential programs, keiki are immersed in learning activities that include traditional academics, visual arts, heahh studies and STEM (Science, īeehnology, Engineering and Math). "We're trying to increase the number of Hawaiians going into these areas because as more technology, sciences and heahh issues occur in Hawai'i, we want to make sure our Hawaiian students are in position to be the people to help resolve those

issues," explains Sing. A Native Hawaiian component is included through kūkulu kumuhana sessions - morning gatherings to strengthen one's cultural identity - and all activities embrace Hawaiian language and culture through oli, hula and arts and crafts. The residential aspect of the SI program is important, as well, as students from different eommunities, backgrounds and schools eome together to live, work and learn in one plaee. "Part of the work that we're doing with these kids is embracing the sense of 'ohana - their family, their responsibilities, knowing what the issues are with their community and their families - and seeking educational and career paths that might make them heeome leaders to resolve these issues," Sing says. "And for the kids who show interest in those areas, we provide them opportunities for follow-up throughout the years." Former haumāna include a mix of professionals in various fields, from medical to media. But Sing says all of these students, whom he keeps in touch with long after classes are pau - have one thing in eommon: "Our kids are doing really well," he reports. "It's been more than 20 years, and we have many doctors, we have social workers, and now, a lot of those kids who were kids 20 years ago are now teachers teaching the younger ones about geology and sciences and so on. "It's niee to see the full circle." ■ Sarah Paeheeo, an O'ahubased freelance writer, is a former assistant regional editor for MidWeek.

Program dates

Applications anel a full list of classes for Nā Pua No'eau's 2013 Summer lnstitute are available now online at npn.uhh.hawaii.edu. The two-week residential programs run: • June 9-22, grades 6-12, at UH-Hilo • June 9-22, grades 9-12, at UH-Mānoa • June 30-July 13, grades 8-12, UH-Hilo To apply, keiki must be of Hawaiian ancestry, be of appropriate grade level for the class they are applying for and, most importantly, have a high interest, potential and/orabilitytoward the area of interest. Tuition, transportation, lodging and meals are free ($100 refundable dorm and travel deposits are assessed upon acceptance to the program). Applieahon forms must be postmarked, faxed oremailed by April 2. Notifications will be issued the week of April 15. If selected, students will receive a participation packet with a list of items to bring, time schedules, locations, rules and medical information. Packet must be completed and returned by April 26. For more information, eall Nā Pua No'eau's main office at (808) 974-7678.

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