Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1982 — Education Seeks Expansion of Hawaiian Studies Program [ARTICLE]

Education Seeks Expansion of Hawaiian Studies Program

During the past fiscal year the Education Program has carried out an advocacy role in working with the DOE to implement a comprehensive Hawaiian Studies Program as mandated by an amendment made to the State Constitution in 1978. The program's advocacy efforts will continue this year with legislative priorities being (1) the expansion of the DOE Hawaiian Studies Program to all elementary schools, (2) the development of a Hawaiian Studies curriculum for the grades 7- 12 level, and (3) the creation of a Hawaiian Education Commission. Up to this point, DOE has expended $255,000 in developing the Hawaiian Studies Program on the elementary (grades K-6) level. The monies were used primarily for curriculum development and the salaries of the kupuna who were hired as instructors in the program. The program, however, has only been fully implemented in 18 out of 171 elementary schools statewide (59 other schools have partially implemented the program), and the salaries of the kupuna who are hired are not equivalent to those teachers in other more established DOE programs. Therefore, OHA's Education staff, with the guidance of both its Advisory and

Standing Committees, will be advocating and supporting legislation this year that is aimed specifically at increasing DOE's Hawaiian Studies Program budget so that the program ean be implemented in all the elementary schools and so that the kupuna ean receive salaries equivalent to those for similar teaching positions within the DOE. DOE budget increases that are earmarked for the development of a Hawaiian Studies curriculum on the grades 7-12 level will also be supported during the current legislative session. Development of the curriculum is a major step in implementing a full-fledged Hawaiian Studies Program on the 7-12 ievel and in completing the development of an integrated, comprehensive program for grades K-12. The Education staff will also take the initiative in introducing !egislation relating to the creation of a Hawaiian Education Commission. As proposed, the Commission's primary responsibilities will be to monitor and evaluate the DOE's progress in developing and implementing a Hawaiian Studies Program in the school system, thus insuring that DOE is carrying out the mandate of the 1978 Constitutional Amendment.