Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 5, 1 June 1984 — Halau O Likolaulani [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Halau O Likolaulani

» By Gard Kealoha

Trustee-At-Large Since Halau Likolaulani O Hawaii has decided to arouse public opinion on the continuation of a center onee led by an administrator and board no longer there and onee funded by 5(f) trust funds by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, it has become necessary for me to respond publicly. OH A's Education Committee had high hopes for the concept of a pre-school experience utilizing the contributions of Hawaiian kupuna. lt continues to be an excellent idea and OHA continues to support the concept of kupuna education with the contributions of Coordinator Betty Jenkins in both our public and nrivate schools.

Sad to say, Likolaulani was plagued with continued inter-staff strife and turmoil not of OHA's making. Fiscal matters were irresponsibly handled. Teaching methods and the curriculum were hap-hazard and many offers made by the OHA staff to provide the services of a highly trained and skilled resource teacher in helping their staff to develop and strengthen their instructional skills were not appreciated nor integrated into their program. The first administrator fired the board summarily and singlehandedly installed a

new board and a new project director. That project director was removed several weeks later. Hours were cut. lnstruction was never given entirely in the Hawaiian language as proposed. The OHA staff members who attempted to provide support services were demeaned. Tuition monies collected were never aecounted lor to OHA. On that basis, the OHA Board approved the termination of funds for the Halau upon the recommendation of the Education committee.

Squandering $42,000 is not something 1 take lightly or ean dismiss without careful thought. As chairman of OHA's Education Committee it is my ultimate responsibility to see that a demonstration pilot project such as the Halau O Likolaulani O Hawaii is executed in a creditable and accountable manner. When OHA's trust and support is spurned, taken for granted and misused, there is no other recourse but to stop assistance. The Halau owes the Hawaiian eommunity more than an apology whieh is yet to eome. When all of the principals involved are ready to explain their actions in an accountable manner, we will then have achieved the first step that is necessary in the rebuilding of a dream.