FAMILY MATTERS
Charter school reflects Hawaiian values
By Ka'ohua Lucas
"Mommy, I really like school," my 8-year-old announced as we were driving home.
"Why?" I asked, interested in his response.
"Because everyone's nice."
But there are many other reasons why we choose to send our children to certain schools. These reasons could be financial or social. They may have to do with prestige, opportunity or the program itself.
Both my boys are in a public charter Hawaiian school. This is the first year the school is in operation, and, as with any new school, it has many challenges.
Money is minimal. For every student enrolled, the school so far has received from the state about $1,300 per student —almost $1,700 less than what was originally promised, said Laara Allbrett, administrator of the school.
Supplies are limited. Some classes have no desks or chairs. A chalkboard is only one of many items on the teachers' wish list.
Facilities are lacking. Palama Settlement has graciously opened their doors to the school, but there is not quite enough room for each grade hui, or cluster, to have a permanent space.
Recently, Na Lei Na'auao, the Native Hawaiian Charter School Alliance, which represents 12 charter schools, launched the Pono Campaign. The campaign's intent is to restore "goodness" and "righteousness" to the state education system, which many believe have failed generations of Hawaiians.
Students and staff came before legislators on Feb. 12 to urge the establishment of a Hawaiian school district with its own superintendent and board under the state Department of Education. The Hawaiian Affairs and Education committees voted unanimously in favor of the bill.
"Our vision is to reinstate a Hawaiian value system," said Allbrett, "and raise awareness of Hawaiian values that are lacking in society today."
That was the primary reason we were drawn to Halau Lokahi: the value system the school is built upon.
My oldest son's kumu, or teacher, stands 6-foot-2 and could pass for Akebono's brother. He is from Waimanalo and is in his senior year of a cohort program at the University of Hawai'i that will earn him a teaching certificate.
Because of his imposing frame, he commands respect from his haumana, or students. But they also appreciate him for his fairness and the genuine aloha he displays toward each student.
"Mom, Kumu Kalani respects us," my 11-year-old said. "He is funny and teaches us a lot about who we are as Hawaiians. And the best part is that I know he likes me."
That certainly means a lot to my husband and me. It supports our belief system, which includes treating each other with respect and kindness.
"We are blessed to have a staff dedicated to the movement of empowering Hawaiians through education, rich with a cultural overtone," Allbrett said. "We share a passion, a commitment, a love for what we are doing."
So often children are in school environments where (a good friend of mine coined this phrase) "poster values" blanket the walls of the classroom.
Students are expected to adhere to these values. Yet many teachers do not mirror them.
How can we expect our haumana to behave accordingly when we as adults do not demonstrate it in our everyday lives?
For some of us choosing a school that reflects the family's value system is unimportant.
But for our 'ohana, being pono, or moral, within and having our boys' kumu reflect that in the classroom is crucial to us.
Halau Lokahi may not have a lot of resources. But it certainly has an administration and teaching staff that truly reflect what a Hawaiian school should be all about.
Ka'ohua Lucas has an 18-year-old daughter and two sons, 11 and 7. She holds a master's degree in education curriculum and instruction, and works as an educational consultant on Hawaiian curriculum. Reach her at Family Matters, 'Ohana Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; e-mail ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 535-8170.
