Na Hoa Ho‘ola Program
PREL’s Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla program focuses on preventing substance abuse and violence among Native Hawaiian children in the upper elementary grades. The program is funded by a grant from the United States Education Department’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools under the Program for Native Hawaiians. Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla which means “the partners who work together to bring health,” also involves parents and communities and coordinates with federal, state, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment.
Program Developed Materials
Ho‘oikaika Kino, which means “to strengthen the body,” is a curriculum that blends literacy strategies with substance abuse and violence prevention skill building for Native Hawaiian children in grades 4–6. Built on the Hawaiian cultural belief that “he hale ke kino no ka mana‘o,” or “the body is the house for thoughts,” Ho‘oikaika Kino strengthens the thought processes and the body by strengthening emotional literacy, communication, and decision making skills. The five mo‘olelo (stories) that are the foundation of Ho‘oikaika Kino are written from a “local” perspective and provide launching points for literacy and prevention activities. Ho‘oikaika Kino is aligned with specific Hawai‘i Content and Performance Standards (HCPSIII) in language arts and health.
Ho'oikaika Kino related resources include:
- Teacher binder
- Student workbook with all materials for students
- Online supplemental materials (www.nahoahoola.org/swf/index.html and also available on CDs)
- Curriculum-related posters
- Bookmarks
- Ho‘oikaika Kino picture books
- Parent newsletters
Implementation Plans
The program was used with the following schools in 2006–2007: Pū‘ōhala Elementary (grades 4–6), Kula Kaiapuni o ‘Ānuenue (grades 4–6), Mountain View Elementary (grade 4), Kanu O Ka ‘Āina (grades 3–5), Ka Waihona o Ka Na‘auao (grades 6–7), School-Based Behavioral Health (SBBH) Specialists at Wai‘anae Elementary and Wai‘anae Intermediate (grades K–12), Wai‘anae Complex Psychologists at Wai‘anae Intensive Learning Centers (grades K–12), Hau‘ula Elementary (grades 4–5), Ka ‘Umeke Ka‘eo (grades 4–6), and Hālau Kū Māna (grades 6–8).
During the 2007–2008 school year, Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla staff will make the materials and training available to all elementary schools in Hawai‘i with more than 40% Native Hawaiian student populations.
Family and Community Involvement Activities
At selected partner sites, Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla staff work with schools to implement additional activities that reinforce curriculum themes and support family and community involvement. Examples include: a partnership with Big Brothers and Big Sisters to provide afterschool ukulele classes, a partnership with Hawai‘i Theatre for Youth to provide activities that build on Ho‘oikaika Kino themes, family events that promote student recognition for positive achievements, parent-child computer education classes, and student retreat experiences that focus on Ho‘oikaika Kino themes.
Coordination With Federal and State Prevention Efforts
Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla staff also work with other agencies to promote substance abuse and violence prevention. Staff partnered with other local agencies to help community groups from across the state plan community-based prevention activities. Staff also partnered with national and local partners to provide bullying training on several islands. Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla staff sit on different advisory committees that oversee statewide prevention efforts in Hawai‘i.
Contact
For additional information, contact Mr. Gabe Nae‘ole, Director, at naeoleg@prel.org.
Contact PREL
Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
Phone:
(808) 441-1300
U.S. Toll-free Phone:
(800) 377-4773
AskPREL
Phone:
(808) 441-1300
U.S. Toll-free Phone:
(800) 377-4773
AskPREL
Program Leaflet
Program Website