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Hawaiian Legends Inspire New Literacy Curriculum

Approximately 50,000 Native Hawaiian students attend public schools in Hawai'i. They represent one of the largest groups served by the Hawaii Department of Education facing several critical and enduring needs. The lack of curriculum materials that are culturally relevant and proven effective is only one of the challenges to improve Native Hawaiian student achievement. Enter E Hoʻomau,* a three-year grant awarded to Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) by the Native Hawaiian Education Program - U. S. Department of Education.

OrmondAccording to project director, Dr. Ormond Hammond, "E Hoʻomau is an engaging curriculum that integrates Hawaiian legends, animated features, and graphic books supported with proven educational practices to strengthen language arts and science achievement for Native Hawaiian 4th graders. The E Hoʻomau project will fuse education, technology and a visually-rich learning system based on Hawaiian legends to improve performance, elevate student motivation and enhance self-confidence."Sun

Hammond continues, "The project will produce engaging instructional materials like animated and graphic novels based on Hawaiian legends. Those instructional materials will incorporate selected academic vocabulary that along with support materials will enable teachers to provide literacy instruction focusing on standards-valued vocabulary; and non-fiction, science-based booklets. For example, students may learn about geology from the legend of Pele, astronomy from the legend of Maui."

PREL has an extensive expertise in the areas of curriculum development and instructional technology, that expertise will be hard at work on E Hoʻomau. The project calls for the development of curriculum materials in year 1 and pilot testing and full evaluation of curriculum in schools in years 2 and 3.

At the conclusion of the E Hoʻomau project, all materials will be made available to public schools in Hawai'i. In addition, PREL will offer professional development and sample lessons for those schools who desire such training.

*E Hoʻomau is the imperative form of the Hawaiian verb meaning to preserve, to persist. It urges us to learn from the past and to perpetuate the good.

For additional information on E Hoʻomau please contact Dr. Ormond Hammond by email at hammondo@prel.org or by phone at 808-441-1399.

(Posted November 04, 2009)

26th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities on April 12 and 13, 2010

Honolulu, Hawai'i-On April 12th and 13th, 2010 over 1,000 persons with disabilities, family, researchers, service providers, teachers, and policy makers will come together from the Pacific and all parts of the world for the 26th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities at the Hawaii Convention Center. They are coming because of the cutbacks, not in spite of the cutbacks. Because this is a critical time for persons with disabilities. Because participants are hungry for the ideas and technology that the conference presents. Because they need these ideas to take back to their home states and countries.  Because this is the largest and best conference of its kind in the Pacific Region. For these reasons they come to this top-rated international conference for the new cutting-edge research, to learn from each other, share resources and ideas that support the quality of life, community inclusion, and self-determination for all persons with disabilities and their families and help shape our world community.

The conference still hues to its traditional topics such as developmental and learning disabilities, autism, transition to postsecondary education, independent living, hidden disabilities, and many others. These topics have bred much of the interdisciplinary research and educational advances of the last three decades. But because of the urgency of the situation, the organizers have introduced new topics strands to foment discussion and change: environmental toxins, disability rights and poverty alleviation, war and disability, gender and ethnicity, and sustainability. These are areas that the conference has not previously addressed but have great impact on the security and well-being of all people with disabilities.  There is also a new section called Innovation which will showcase new theories, concepts, solutions, ideas and applications that can benefit people with disabilities during this economic downturn.

Registration and the call for proposals are now open. Please visit www.pacrim.hawaii.edu to register, submit a proposal and for more detailed information on the conference. 

On April 10 and 11, there will be a pre-conference, the 3rd Annual International Forum on the Rights of People with Disabilities which will focus on the United Nations Convention on rights of persons with disabilities with special attention to poverty alleviation, education and employment. Michael Stein, executive director of Harvard Law School's Project on Disability will be one of the keynote speakers.
The Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities is sponsored by the Center for Disability Studies (CDS), a research unit of the College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa. The mission of the CDS is to promote diverse abilities across the lifespan through interdisciplinary training, research, and service.

(Posted November 02, 2009)

Building Capacity For HIV/AIDS Prevention In The U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (BC-HAPP)

Despite the low reported incidence of HIV/AIDS in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific jurisdictions (less than 0.2%), reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that the actual level of incidence is probably much greater. In addition, the lack of knowledge along with stigmatizing attitudes toward persons infected with HIV/AIDS and coupled with high risk sexual behavior in small isolated populations raise concerns about the potential for the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. These concerns indicate the need for resources to be directed toward HIV/AIDS prevention in the Pacific islands.

Supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) AIDS Community Information Outreach Project, The "Building Capacity for HIV/AIDS Prevention in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands" (BC-HAPP) project aims to address the urgent preventative public health needs of the Pacific region in order to forestall a repeat of the HIV/AIDS crisis some Asian and African countries experience.

The full benefit of HIV/AIDS prevention is achievable only if measures are implemented early - well before the far-reaching consequences of a broader HIV/AIDS epidemic come to pass. To this end the purpose of PREL's BC-HAPP project is to provide librarians, educators, public health personnel, and other community members in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands with training on how to access and retrieve state-of-the-art HIV/AIDS-related information. Resources include the National Library of Medicine's online health and medical resources such as http://medlineplus.gov/ and the health databases of EBSCOHost and Stat!Ref both of which are offered free of charge to residents of the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands by PREL. Passwords to access these databases can be obtained by contacting your local PREL Service center or submitting a PREL Service Request on our website.

Training courses will be presented at regional conferences such as the Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) and the annual Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives and Museums (PIALA) conference. Additionally, the project will produce a CD-ROM of selected NLM HIV/AIDS resource materials with information that can be disseminated to those with limited internet access. Re-prints of HIV/AIDS materials created from a previous project supported by the NLM will be made available. These are: Glossary of HIV/AIDS/STDs Terminology for Pacific Islanders and the ABCDs of HIV/AIDS.

For additional information please contact Ms. Jane Barnwell, PREL's Director, Pacific Resource Center at barnwellj@prel.org or leave a message at 808-441-1320.

    (Posted October 19, 2009)

    University of Hawai`i at Manoa and PREL Join to Provide Disaster Recovery Assistance to American Samoa Libraries, Courts, and Vital Records

    Lynn Ann Davis, head of University of Hawai`i-Manoa Library's Preservation Department, and Jane Barnwell, PREL's Pacific Resource Center Director, are leading the WESTPAS (Western States and Territories Preservation Assistance Services) Recovery Task Force to American Samoa to work with government agencies in the recovery of essential records and resources damaged by the recent tsunami. The task force is coordinating with the FEMA Region IX Environmental Office and with Judy Mulitalo, Feleti Barstow Public Library, leader of American Samoa's Disaster Team for libraries and vital records.

    Both Ms. Davis and Ms. Barnwell have provided extensive disaster preparedness workshops in American Samoa as well as the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. The recent tsunami demonstrates the importance of advanced training and planning. Following the recent flooding, Terry Fielding, clerk with the High Court of American Samoa, drew upon training he received by following their disaster preparedness plan and froze court documents. Freezing prevents further damage to records by mold growth. It was noted that, based on past disaster recovery experience, flash flood recovery and follow-up treatment of unique materials can take years.

    Ms. Davis and Ms. Barnwell continue to focus on both disaster recovery and on leadership initiatives for libraries, archives and museums in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands.

    • Event Date: Oct 16

    (Posted October 16, 2009)

    Report identifies key health issues in the Hawaii Micronesian community

    A report entitled "Needs Assessment for Micronesian Health Care in Hawaii" identified key health issues among the Micronesian community in Hawaii. PREL evaluator Sonja Evensen advised the group of UH, Department of Public Health Sciences students that collected data and prepared the assessment. The work -- intended to assist health care providers interested in understanding the challenges Micronesians face in seeking care -- exposed the following concerns in providing health care for the Micronesian community: transportation and community/medical outreach, cultural differences, information dissemination/sharing, health literacy, translation and interpreter issues, mental and behavioral health. 

    This report may be useful for health clinic staff and service providers dealing with immigrant populations. It may also serve as a resource for those involved in health care policy development or grant-writing. This report was funded in part by the National Library of Medicine under contract no.

    N01-LM-6-3507 with the NN/LM Pacific Southwest Region, UCLA

    Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library.

    To read the full report, download it here .

      (Posted September 15, 2009)

      In Memoriam: Dr. Rita Hocog Inos, EdD

      rita.jpg

      It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the passing of another dear member of the PREL family.

      Dr. Rita Hocog Inos, former Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) staff member, Board member, and Board Chair, passed away on Saipan, Monday, August 9, 2009, from cancer.

      Dr. Inos was born and raised in Songsong, Rota. She spent her life devoted to education in the Pacific. She began her education career in the Pacific islands in 1972 as a bilingual teacher in Rota and Saipan schools.

      Dr. Inos obtained her doctorate from the University of Southern California, her master’s degree in school administration and supervision from San Jose State University in California, and her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts (Bilingual Education) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

      Dr. Inos worked at PREL from 1990 to 1994 as the Director of Programs and Services and was the Deputy Director of the PREL Western Pacific Center from 1994 to 1998.

      From 1998 to 2006, she served as the Commissioner of Education for the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Public School System(CNMI PSS) and was on PREL’s Board of Directors. She served as the chairperson for PREL’s Board from 2004 to 2006.

      In February 2006, Dr. Inos was appointed to the Northern Marinas College (NMC) Board of Regents and served as its chairperson from June 2006 to July 2008.

      Dr. Inos was an extraordinary woman, who was very compassionate and dedicated to the well being of the children of the Pacific. We will miss her dearly, not only for her exemplary work, but for her sweet and kind spirit. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.

       

       Excerpts taken from:

      Marianas Variety News
      Saipan Tribune
      Guam Daily News

       

        (Posted August 20, 2009)

        PEC 2009 Invitation: Guam, July 15–17

        Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) 2009 cohosts cordially invite you to the 26th annual PEC to be held in Guam July 15–17, 2009.  Please visit PREL’s PEC webpage to register for the conference. The theme for PEC 2009 is Preparing the Pacific Child for Life. We look forward to seeing you there!

        For more information, please contact:
        PEC 2009 Committee
        c/o Venesia R. Luzanta
        Post Office DE
        Hagatna, Guam  96932
        Phone: (671) 300-1545
        Email: gpss.pec@gmail.com
        Registration website: http://www.prel.org/pec/pec-2009-registration.aspx

          (Posted April 06, 2009)

          PREL Announces 2008 Pacific Educational Conference Proceedings

          Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) is pleased to share the 2008 Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) Proceedings. Themed The Pacific Child: A Legacy of Community, Culture, and Art and celebrating its 25th anniversary, PEC 2008 was held in American Samoa July 14–17, 2008, and was cosponsored by the American Samoa Department of Education, American Samoa Community College, and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL).

          This second volume of PEC proceedings is a collection of summaries describing some of the workshops presented at the 2008 PEC by experts in their field and attended by representatives from the U.S.-affiliated Pacific, the continental United States, and the world. It is said that the PEC, organized for Pacific educators by Pacific educators, with its distinctive “Pacific Way” spirit, offers participants unique experiences found at no other conference.

          This collection includes proceedings by presenters from American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Hawai‘i, and the Republic of Palau. We bring these works together to share them with a wider audience of our constituents and partners. By doing so, we hope to contribute to the body of work that supports education in the Pacific and around the world.

            (Posted March 31, 2009)

            U.S. ED Announces Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program Competition

            Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) is pleased to share the following information on behalf of Dr. Irene Harwarth, Team Leader for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) Program, U.S. Department of Education (U.S. ED).

            The U.S. ED recently announced its Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program competition and encourages ministries and department of education in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands [CNMI], Federated States of Micronesia [Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap], Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands [RMI], and the Republic of Palau) to join in this competition. (Note. American Samoa, the CNMI, and Guam all get “set-asides,” but may also apply for the competition funding.)

            The U.S. DOE's LSL program focuses on providing funding to public school libraries in districts with 20 percent or more family poverty rate. Funds are used to improve reading achievement through updating the library collection, expanding internet connections, purchasing new technology, providing professional development for library media specialists, and extending school library hours. Please note that individual schools may not apply for this program. This is for public local school districts, charter schools, or state-administered schools that are considered local school districts by their State Educational Agency (SEA). More information about the program can be found on the LSL website.

            The U.S. DOE announced the 2009 LSL program competition in the Federal Register on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, and applications will be due on Friday, March 6, 2009, at 4:30 P.M. Eastern Time. Approximately 18.5 million dollars will be available for funding. An estimated 80 grants will be awarded under this competition, with the estimated range of awards being between $30,000 and $500,000.

            It is important to note that LSL applicants must use the U.S. Federal Government's Grants.gov applications system to apply. It is vital that all applicants register early, since the registration process on Grants.gov can take from 7 to 10 days. Please note that if you are registered, you must make sure your information is up-to-date.

            The LSL application package can be found on the Grants.gov website, along with instructions for registering in the Grants.gov system and applying for grants. You may download the application package before you register. Once you are on the Grants.gov homepage, click on "Apply for Grants" at the left of the screen.  Then click on "Step 1 Download a Grant Application Package."  At "CFDA Number" type in 84.364, and then click on "Download Package."  Then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link to download the application package. Make sure you have a recent version of Adobe Reader. It is also necessary to remember to send in your application at least 3 days before the closing date of the competition, since it can take that long to process the application.

            You may access the full application package on the LSL program website under "Applicant Info."

            Also, toward the bottom of the “Applicant Info” page under the heading “Technical Assistance,” you will see that the LSL program will sponsor six free technical assistance conference calls for this year’s LSL competition. Please email Charlene Gatewood at cgatewood@optimalsolutionsgroup.com, or call her at (301) 306-1170 to register. Times and dates of the technical assistance conference calls are as follows:

            • Thursday, January 22, 2009; 2:00 PM
            • Tuesday, January 27, 2009; 10:00 AM
            • Wednesday, February 4, 2009; 3:00 PM
            • Thursday, February 12, 2009; 11:00 AM
            • Friday, February 20, 2009; 12:00 Noon

            (Note. All calls are Eastern Standard Time.)

            The Federal Register Notice can be found at
            http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2009-1/010609d.html .

            If you have any questions, please e-mail Dr. Irene Harwarth, Team Leader for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program at irene.harwarth@ed.gov .

              (Posted January 19, 2009)

              PREL Celebrates Staff Service Awards and Employee of the Year

              PREL staff with 5, 10, and 15 years of service, as well as PREL’s 2008 Employee of the Year, were honored at a special Board of Directors dinner on December 16, 2008.

              Awarded for their continued dedication and commitment to PREL’s mission of Building Capacity Through Education and to the children of the Pacific were:

              5 Years  10 Years 15 Years
              John Camac Canisius Filibert Paul Dumas
              Kim Gould Matthew Hayden Liane Sing
              Marlynn Halbert   Kyaw Soe
              Juanita Rilometo    
              Marcella Sakaio    

              Employee of the Year, Canisius Filibert, was awarded for his outstanding service to not only PREL and its constituents but to Pacific Islanders who have relocated to Hawai`i.

              A very special recognition went to Dr. Winona “Nona” Chang. Nona was one of the first employees of PREL. After many years with the Hawai`i Department of Education, she worked in a bilingual education project in Hawai`i under the Northwest Ral Educational Laboratory. When PREL was organized, she continued to work with PREL on a part-time basis, mainly with the Mathematics and Science Consortium. Among her many contributions was her spearheading PREL’s Pacific Teacher Scholarship Fund. Now retired, Nona volunteers several days per week at PREL working on special projects.

                (Posted January 19, 2009)

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Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
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(808) 441-1300
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Updated on Wednesday, January 07, 2009

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