Posted on: Thursday, March 16, 2006
At-risk students thrive at Olomana complex
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Olomana Youth Center students Kailiponi Naihe, a 10th-grader, left, and 11th-grader Teanna Bailey work on algebra problems.
RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser
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AT A GLANCE
School: Olomana Youth Center (part of Olomana School) Where: 42-522 Kalaniana'ole Highway, Kailua, HI 96734. Phone: 266-7866 Web address: olomana01.k12.hi.us Principal: August Suehiro, principal of the school for the past four years. Previously, vice principal for five years. School colors: Green, white Enrollment: Olomana School's six sites have a daily census of about 230 to 285 students. History: Olomana School dates to the mid-1800s, but there have been several name, location and philosophic changes over the years. Olomana School, which takes its name from Mount Olomana, opened in the early 1950s. Special programs: The youth center has a hydroponics program, a school newspaper and a 'ukulele-making shop class. (Students who earn a satisfactory grade, get to keep their handmade tenor 'ukulele). There is also a Partners Program that aims to motivate students to stay in school, and an After School Tutorial program that offers math and reading support. Computers: One computer lab at each of the Olomana School's six sites. The school has about two dozen computers.
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The Olomana Youth Center is an alternative learning facility for at-risk students, grades 7-12, who otherwise would attend O'ahu's Windward District schools.
The center is one component of a larger complex known as Olomana School, situated on a peaceful hillside at the base of majestic Mount Olomana off Kalaniana'ole Highway in Kailua.
In addition to operating the alternative learning facility, the school provides teaching staff at the adjacent Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility, which is operated by the state, and the Detention Home in downtown Hono-lulu, which is operated by the Family Court System.
The school has undergone numerous name, location and philosophic changes since it was first established in the mid-1800s.
In the mid-1990s, Olomana School switched places with the Women's Community Correctional Center, located across the highway.
About 100 students — 40 percent girls and 60 percent boys — are enrolled at Olomana Youth Center.
The faculty and staff work with young people who, in many cases, arrive at school with a history of home-related troubles. Olomana educators have their hands full trying to educate children who are often fighting to move past incidents tied to drugs, violence and abuse.
"The school provides the kind of compassion and support that these kids need so they can find that personal power within themselves," said school counselor Debbie Boltz.
"There are some youngsters who come here who've experienced the worst kind of life. And we're here to help them understand that they are their own person."
What are you most proud of? "I'm most proud of the quality staff," said Principal August Suehiro. "I'm most proud that we have a system that allows kids to have a place that is small and individualized. And I am most proud of the successes who have gone through our school. I meet people all the time who have benefitted from coming to Olomana School. Some work here."
One such person is head of school security Allen Battiest, 30, who came to Olomana as a "disciplinary transfer who thought he knew it all," Battiest says. These days, the 350-pounder sees himself as a gentle giant, thanks to those at Olomana who cared enough about him to persuade him to care about himself.
On school mornings, Battiest is at the entry gate, waiting to greet each student with a hug and handshake. Simple aloha can work wonders, he said.
Best-kept secret: "We provide quality education," said Suehiro, who like other educators at the school cringes at the suggestion that Olomana is some kind of reform school. "The perception is that it is a last stop. People think of students here are not able to make the standard. That's not the case."
Everybody at our school knows: Vice Principal Tina Winquist. Although she's been vice principal for just one year, she has a "special touch with the kids," Suehiro said. Previously, she was a teacher at the secure facility. The kids loved her down there, and they love her up here.
Our biggest challenge: For some teachers at Olomana School, the biggest challenge is just getting students to show up for classes, Suehiro said. But the principal thinks the main hurdle is finding teachers with a knack for motivating hard-to-reach students.
What we need: "Parent involvement," Suehiro said. "I think that would be big ... would be a tremendous improvement."
Projects: In the past, the school has been involved in Service Learning Programs that give lockup students who have earned appropriate credits and proved they can be trusted an opportunity to leave the school and participate in various volunteer programs.
Special events: One popular event is the annual weightlifting contest.
Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.
