Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 1, 1 January 2015 — ʻAHA PŪNANA LEO DAY PROCLAMATION CEREMONY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻAHA PŪNANA LEO DAY PROCLAMATION CEREMONY

Then-Gov. Neil Abercrombie proclaimed Oct. 24, 2014, " 'Aha Pūnana Leo Day" in recognition of the program being awarded the world's first accreditation of an early childhood education program conducted through an endangered and indigenous language by the World lndigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC). In an Augustarticle in Ka Wai Ola, 0HA's letter supporting WINHEC accreditation was described as crucial in helping secure the recognition, whieh helps the 30-year-old program retain and attract additional sources of funding. Standing, from left, are: Sen. Gilbert Kahele, Dr. William "Pila" Wilson, Colin Kippen, Dr. Larry Kimum, Kamehameha Schools CE0 Jack Wong, Sen. Clayton Hee, Wai'ale'ale Sarsona, Governor Abercrombie, Office of Hawaiian Affairs CE0 Dr. Kamana'opono Crabbe, Georgenne Weisenfeld, Lolena Nicholas, Nāmaka Rawlins, Sen. Clift Tsuji, Dr. Kanoe Nāone, 'Aha Pūnana Leo Executive Director 'Ekekela Aiona, Dr. Walter Kahumoku and 'Alika MeNieoll. They are joined by students and teachers from Pūnana Leo o Wai'anae. - Courtesy: Office ofthe Governor