Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 12, 1 December 2013 — Nā Lei Naʻ auao charter schools are worth funding [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nā Lei Naʻ auao charter schools are worth funding

Aloha e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, nā pulapula a Hāloa, mai Hawai'i a Ni'ihau, puni ke ao mālamalama. We thank Taffi, her colleagues Katie Benioni and Pat Bergin and our lāhui, for holding fast to the vision, implementation and inspiration that is Nā Lei Na'auao. We extend this closing winter message and challenge on their behalf. "The story begins in Hawai'i wilh a small (Jronn of Hawaiian

language educators who opened the first Pūnana Leo preschools in 1984, to 'feed' the Hawaiian language into the ears and mouths of young toddlers in order to bring life to Hawai'i's dying Indigenous language." (Kimura, 2009). These visionaries empowered Nā Lei Na'auao culture and language schools, today prominent contenders in education. These schools, however, are plagued by languid bureaucracies threatening their very existence by severely limiting resources needed to survive. "New measures are needed to advance toward reconciliation with indigenous peoples and address persistent deep-seated problems related to historieal wrongs, failed policies of the past and continuing systemic barriers to the full realization of indigenous peoples' rights. . . . The U.S. Congress issued an apology to Native Hawaiians ... for the overthrow resulting in suppression ... indigenous Hawaiians see their sacred places under the domination of others, and they continue to fare worse than any other demographic group in Hawaii in terms of education, heahh, crime and employment." (Anaya, 2012). Fraught with challenges, Nā Lei Na'auao Hawaiian Focused Charter Schools (HFCS) continue making enomrous gains, defying odds. Hawaiians enrolling and graduating fronr college since the birth of HFCS has increased 50 percent. Schools are producing values-driven lifelong learners actively engaged in building strong conrnrunities inrpacting Hawai'i and the world. Students accept responsibility for our lands and are recovering, cultivating and perpetuating our knowledge, language and culture infusing ancestors' wisdonr in all they do.

A cherished kupuna and veteran educator asked, "What is truly inrportant about being Hawaiian and what do we feel is inrportant to pass on to the next generation? As I exanrine nry own life and what was passed on to me, it is the values of living as a Hawaiian. I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with Tūtū, who lived a subsistence lifestyle. She passed on to me the values of respect for 'āina, kūpuna and eaeh other. I followed nry Tūtū fronr mauka to makai to (jflther lā'an or mea 'ai we onlv

took what we needed. Spirituality was a large part of our lifestyle. Currently, our children are disconnected fronr kūpuna and mākua who ean share these values. This kuleana now lies with Nā Lei Na'auao. "Our culture is defrned by our values. When we learn our genealogy we honor our ancestors. When we recognize a plaee as piko, we aloha 'āina. Accepting and recognizing our leadership roles is kuleana and we mālama our relationships. These beliefs are the kaula, or rope, that binds us together. Nā Lei Na'auao captures this kaula, creating relevant curricula for today's haumāna. Whether through language, reforestation, hula drama or sailing canoes matters not, the outcome is ultimately the same - passing on cultural values. Having many paths leading to a eommon goal ean be symbolized by the metaphor of making coconut-sennit cording - strength is gained when individual strands are woven together. He ko'u mana'o wale no." Aia Iā Kākou Nā Ha'ina - The Answers Are Whhin Us\ We challenge the polkieal powers to resource us properly, our keiki are worthy! As we eagerly prepare for new beginnings for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in its new home at the Gentry Pacific Design Center, Reynold, Louise and I wish to thank you for your continued encouragement and support over these two decades. 2013 inspired, yet challenges the future for Native Hawaiians. It will be by the blessing of collective will and effort that the bettennent of Native Hawaiians shall prevail. We extend to you and your 'ohana our mahalo a nui. 12/48 ■

Haunani Apnlinna, MSW TrustEE, At-largE