OUR SCHOOLS • KA WAHIONA 'O KA NA'AUAO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
Academic excellence, Hawaiian culture is focus

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer

The Leeward Coast's only charter school has come a long way since opening in 2002.

Idallas Hulett, a first-grader at Ka Waihona 'O Ka Na'auao charter school in Nanakuli, sings a Hawaiian song while performing hula movements with her classmates. Plans call for the school to expand into middle-school grades. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

This year, the school moved into the buildings vacated by Nana-ikapono Elementary School in Nanakuli and now has 218 students, serving kindergarten through fifth grade.

It also boasts the highest Hawai'i State Assessment scores in the Wai'anae district, achieving the coveted "adequate yearly progress," required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. "We're the only school on the Wai'anae Coast that was able to do that that is not in restructuring," said principal Alvin Parker.

The school, which offers a rigorous academic program and emphasis on Hawaiian culture, will add the sixth grade and accept 92 more students next year, but is still unable to meet the demand from the community. "We have a waiting list of about 80," Parker said.

In addition to concentration on traditional scholastic pursuits, the school has hired a kumu hula to make sure culture is part of the mix. "We do recognize the value of the Hawaiian culture and make a concerted effort to secure a high level of instruction," he said.

The school only accepts students at kindergarten. "If you come to our school in kindergarten, by the time you leave, you should be academically acceptable and culturally aware," Parker said.

What are you most proud of? "I'm proud of the faculty," Parker said. "The majority of them are under 30, 80 percent of them have a master's degree, everyone but one person is certified, and that one person is in a certification program."

Five faculty members are graduates of Kamehameha Schools. "They're perpetuating the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and giving back to the community," said Parker, a Kamehameha graduate himself.

Best-kept secret: Parker said the school has not sought attention, making its very existence a secret, but added, "Our best-kept secret is probably the quality of the faculty. The whole staff is just outstanding."

Everybody at our school knows: vice-principal Misipati Karapani Jr., also known as "Junior." "He's the reluctant hero," said Parker, describing Karapani as the person who works with faculty, staff and students.

Our biggest challenge: "To sustain the excellence and momentum we've created as we grow in size," Parker said.

Also, while plans call for expanding the school to middle school, Parker said there are calls in the community to extend into the high school grades, as well. Accomplishing this is another challenge. "We need subject-specific teachers. That's going to be my biggest challenge," he said.

Special events: The school has Ho'ike celebrations in winter and summer (the next one is June 1). All children participate, and each grade level puts on a cultural performance.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluladvertiser.com or 525-8014.