Programs

Na Hoa Ho‘ola Program

Image

From 2002 to 2008, PREL’s Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla program focused on preventing substance abuse and violence among Native Hawaiian children in the upper elementary grades. The program was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Education’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 involved parents and communities, and coordinated with federal, state, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment for Native Hawaiian students.

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, He hale ke kino no ka mana‘o, or “The body is the house for thoughts,” Ho‘oikaika Kino strengthens thought processes and the body by developing 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.

Back To Top

Resources

Ho‘oikaika Kino-related resources include the following:

  • Teacher binder
  • Student workbook with all materials for students
  • Online supplemental materials (available on www.nahoahoola.org/swf/index.html and on CD from PREL)
  • Curriculum-related posters
  • Bookmarks
  • Ho‘oikaika Kino picture books
  • Parent newsletters

The electronic version of the Ho‘oikaika Kino materials are available on the Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla Teachers’ Homepage, and online supplements for the “core stories” that are at the heart of the Ho‘oikaika Kino curriculum can be accessed from the Kids’ Homepage.

Back To Top

Implementation

From 2003 to 2008, PREL implemented the Ho‘oikaika Kino curriculum in a total of 42 schools across the state of Hawai‘i, serving over 2,000 students. Following is a list of PREL's school partners, ordered by year.

2005–2006

Kanu o ka ‘Āina New Century Public Charter, Kula Kaiapuni o ‘Ānuenue, Pū‘ōhala Elementary

2006–2007

Hālau Kū Māna New Century Public Charter, Hau‘ula Elementary, Ka ‘Umeke Kā‘eo Public Charter, Ka Waihona o ka Na‘auao Charter, Kanu o ka ‘Āina New Century Public Charter, Kapolei Middle, Kea‘au Elementary, Kualapu‘u Elementary Public Conversion Charter, Kula Kaiapuni o ‘Ānuenue, Mountain View Elementary, Pū‘ōhala Elementary, Wai‘anae Elementary, Wai‘anae Intensive Learning Center, Wai‘anae Intermediate

2007–2008

‘Aiea Elementary, Central Middle, DeSilva Elementary, ‘Ele‘ele Elementary, Hau‘ula Elementary, Hōnaunau Elementary, ‘Īao Intermediate, Kaimukī Middle, Kapolei Elementary, Kapolei Middle, Kapunahala Elementary, Kawaikini New Century Public Charter, King Kaumuali‘i Elementary, Kualapu‘u Elementary Public Conversion Charter, Kūhiō Elementary School, Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino, Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Waiau, Kula ‘o Samuel M. Kamakau, Maunawili Elementary, Mililani Mauka Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Nānāikapono Elementary, Niu Valley Middle, Pā‘ia Elementary, Pālolo Elementary, Pū‘ōhala Elementary, Royal Elementary, Wilson Elementary

Back To Top

Family and Community Involvement Activities

At selected partner sites, Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla staff worked with schools to implement additional activities that reinforced curriculum themes and supported family and community involvement. Some of these community partnerships included working with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Honolulu to provide after school ukulele classes, collaborating with the Hawai‘i Theatre for Youth to provide activities that built on Ho‘oikaika Kino themes, organizing family events that promoted student recognition for positive achievements, creating parent-child computer education classes, and coordinating student retreat experiences that focused on Ho‘oikaika Kino themes.

Back To Top

Coordination With Federal and State Prevention Efforts

Between 2003 and 2008, Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla staff also worked with over 100 other agencies to promote substance abuse and violence prevention. Staff partnered with other local agencies to help community groups from across Hawai‘i to plan community-based prevention activities.

Back To Top

Contact

For additional information, contact Mr. Paul Dumas, Chief Program Officer, at dumasp@prel.org.

Back To Top

Contact PREL

Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
Phone:
(808) 441-1300
U.S. Toll-free Phone:
(800) 377-4773

AskPREL

Program Leaflet

Na Hoa Ho‘ola

Program Website





© Pacific Resources for Education and Learning. All Rights Reserved.