[Hawaii's Schools]
|
Students dedicated A school within a school, King Kekaulike High School is host to Kula Kaiapuni O Kekaulike, the only Hawaiian language immersion program for high school students on Maui. Thirty students are currently enrolled.
to Hawaiian
The school hosts the isle's only
high school immersion programAdvisory sessions promote social, civic, economic skills
ABOUT THIS PAGE
YOU ASKEDBy Maile Cerizo and Jesse Yamaguchi
Ka Leo O Na Ali'iAcceptance into this program requires parental consent and a strong regard for Hawaiian culture, but Hawaiian ancestry is not required. Because it is an immersion program, no new students are accepted after the fifth grade.
Last May, six of King Kekaulike's 277 class of 2001 graduates represented the first graduating class of Kaiapuni on Maui. These six began their education in 1989 at Paia Elementary School on Maui's north shore.
Each year, the program grew, adding a grade level as the students progressed in their education. HLIP climbed into Kalama Intermediate School, farther up Haleakala.
In 1997 the program became part of King Kekaulike High School. Now the program runs from preschool through high school in the King Kekaulike complex.
"I chose to be a part of Hawaiian immersion because, for one, I am Hawaiian and I live in Hawaii," said freshman Joshua Kekupa'a Nae'ole. "I owe it to my kupuna to learn their language and culture, to try and understand what kind of people they were, because if it were not for them, I would not be here today."
Senior Kamana'o Kane said, "My family speaks Hawaiian, so it's good that I speak the language."
These students work hard at accomplishing all assigned tasks. Because of logistics and their small numbers, the high school HLIP students have math, science and English taught in English with non-HLIP students at King Kekaulike. In Hawaiian they learn news writing, social studies and the finer points of the language.
The classes taught in Hawaiian are different because they follow traditional practices. Before their initial Hawaiian class, students must perform an oli komo, or chant, asking for welcomed entry. Then kumu Pulama Collier, an HLIP teacher, replies with a chant of her own, either accepting or rejecting the students' proposed action.
The HLIP newswriting class is also distinct in that the newspaper they produce is written entirely in Hawaiian and distributed only to other HLIP students within the King Kekaulike complex.
Graduation requirements for Kaiapuni students are more stringent because they have more required classes. In ninth grade, HLIP students must enroll in two history classes, Modern History of Hawaii and History of the Pacific, and learn fact-based chants in oli papa, or chanting class. These courses offer insight into authentic Hawaiian culture and beliefs, past and present.
The students also participate in cultural activities. During the makahiki season, King Kekaulike's Kaiapuni students join with other Hawaiian immersion schools -- Punana Leo Preschool, Paia Elementary and Kalama Intermediate -- to celebrate. Annual events are usually held on the Paia school's campus, where hula, chants and ho'okupu (offerings) are presented.
"Makahiki is fun because we get to see all the Hawaiian immersion students and teachers from other schools," said junior Ke'ala Kaiwi.
Goals of Hawaiian immersion students vary, just as they would in any other high school environment. Many students hope to pursue careers involving the use of the Hawaiian language so it can be perpetuated for generations to come.
"I'll probably go to Maui Community College and become a marine biologist, but someday I want to have my children learn Hawaiian and be a part of the program that I am in now," said student JoAnna Tsuha.
BACK TO TOP
|
|
King Kekaulike High School is not only concerned with the academic growth of its students. Character, self-confidence and social skills are all imperative aspects of an individual, and the advisory program attempts to instill these qualities into its students by establishing a comfortable environment where students learn fundamental skills and receive beneficial guidance. Advisory sessions promote
social, civic, economic skillsBy Janna Kawamura and Cherie Keogh
Ka Leo O Na Ali'iThe advisory program was created to provide students with an adult advisor on campus, to improve communication between school and home, to offer students more assistance in planning and preparing for a successful future, and to increase students' self-confidence and people skills.
Held every Wednesday and Friday for 30 minutes, advisory sessions have mandatory attendance, but neither grade nor credit is given. Staff members, such as teachers, counselors and librarians, serve as advisers. Students remain in the same advisory group for all four years of high school, allowing for a stable foundation on which they can build close relationships with peers and the instructor.
Victoria Johnson, a KKHS Color Guard, said she has a bond with her advisory teacher "because she always asks how I'm doing and jokes with us, making us feel comfortable around her."
Teachers also have the opportunity to talk to students they would not normally have in class and are now more familiar with a larger portion of the student body. This happens because of the random placement of students.
"In this day and age, kids have so much going on that they need some sort of guidance," said Jay Paa, a senior adviser. "Advisory provides them with this guidance. Kids can also relax, talk about what is going on and discuss their problems. Advisory bridges the world with teenagers and teenagers with the world."
In advisory, students take part in lessons that teach them about social relationships, civic responsibilities, economic efficiency and foundations skills to reach self-realization. Freshmen learn how to be responsible to make tentative educational and occupational choices; to trust, accept, adjust, compromise and work together with and for others.
Sophomores learn how to resolve conflicts through consensus and compromise and to communicate effectively. Extending one's interests, experiences and relationships outside the immediate peer group and applying academic and vocational skills to achieve personal goals are also focuses.
Juniors learn how to analyze how effective interpersonal relationships help ensure the positive physical, emotional and social well-being of an individual and to explore career opportunities.
"I think advisory is a good time to build relationships with friends," junior Jason Rivera said. "I like the activities my teacher plans for us; they give us something to do, are fun, and teach valuable lessons in careers and life."
Seniors learn how to complete the required steps toward the transition from high school to post-secondary education, training programs or work. They also learn how to identify alternatives in decision-making situations, manage money, use a bank, wisely use credit and be responsible in a committed relationship.
Counselors are responsible for providing the advisory curriculum. Every month, grade-level advisers meet with the appropriate counselor to evaluate and review activities.
"Advisory provides students with one person on campus who accepts them for who they are and doesn't judge them," said counselor Nalani Kaaa.
Besides providing students with no-stress guidance, advisory also unifies King Kekaulike High School by providing time for school business like senior graduation song practices, class and school elections, class assemblies and the freshman mentoring program.
BACK TO TOP
|
ABOUT THIS PAGE
Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their high school. This week's school is King Kekaulike High School.
Newspaper: Ka Leo O Na Ali'i
Editors in chief: Janna Kawamura and Cherie Keogh
Editor: Maile Cerizo
Adviser: Naomi Okazaki
Next week: Waianae
School stats
Address: 121 Kula Highway, Pukalani, HI 96768
Phone: 808-573-8710
Fax: 808-573-2231
Web site: www2.kekaulike.k12.hi.us
Founded: September 1995
Principal: Susan Scofield
Vice principals: Teri Hamasaki and Pat McCall
School vision: Majestically on the slopes of Haleakala, King Kekaulike High School strives in unity for excellence in learning, leading and living to enrich, empower and elevate our students, our community and our world.School mission: King Kekaulike High School strives in unity for excellence in living, learning and leading by focusing on Respect for self, others and our school, and by promoting Rigor and Relevancy in learning.
Colors: Teal and black
School motto: "Kulia I Ka Nu'u" ("Strive for the Summit")
Mascot: Na Ali'i (The Royal Chiefs)
1,455: Students currently enrolled in King Kekaulike High School BY THE NUMBERS
1999: First graduating class of King Kekaulike High School
343: Student athletes in the 2001-2002 school year
152: Total number of students in six Advanced Placement (A.P.) classes
6: A.P. classes available at King Kekaulike High School
5: Ali'i in the school's emblem, representing the five districts that attend King Kekaulike High School (Kula, Makawao, Haiku, Paia and Pukalani)3: R's of King Kekaulike High School: Respect, Rigor and Relevancy
BACK TO TOP
|
What cartoon character would you most identify with, and why? YOU ASKED
Ashley Alivado
Senior
"I would choose a Care Bear because they're cute and sweet (and chubby and hairy)."Gloria Bence
Sophomore
"I'd be Kadpig from '101 Dalmatians' because she's free-spirited, full of life, insightful and happy no matter what."Jennifer Hirata
Freshman
"I would be Batman because he has no superpowers. He uses his mind and he gets a cool suit."Kekoa Ripani
Senior
"Wile E. Coyote. Even though he gets messed up a lot, he knows how to control himself."Dain Shimabuku
Junior
"I would most identify with Dopey because he makes me feel intelligent. He does clumsy things to himself."Andrew Smith
Freshman
"I would be Garfield because he gets to lie around all day and eat a lot of food."Joshua Shimabukuro
Senior
"Homer Simpson. Even though his IQ isn't very high, he's a good father and a hard worker."Nohea Kaili
Junior
"I am most like Betty Boop because she's her own person who doesn't care what others think, and she's very comfortable with herself."Becca Jakeway
Senior
"Superwoman! She is a very strong cartoon character and a great role model for younger boys and girls. She can leap, jump, bound from building to building and can fly. She helps fight the evil to save the good and innocent in the world. She is the coolest!"Joey Maldonado
Freshman
"Porky Pig, because he is large and likes to eat."
Hawaii School Web Sites
Click for online
calendars and events.
