Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 7, 1 Iulai 1999 — Immersion education: A challenge for community empowerment [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Immersion education: A challenge for community empowerment

'A 'ohe pau ke 'ike i ka hālau ho 'okahi no laila, aia nō i ka mea e mele ana. , One ean learn from many sources therefore, let the people thinkfor themselves. — 'Ōlelo Nō'eau 203 & 67 fOR THREE months, OHA has been involved in efforts to build independent Hawaiian language schools on Moloka'i and Kaua'i. Against all odds, these communities have organized and eome to OHA for supjx>rt in developing immersion programs tailored to their needs. Moloka'i residents told OHA they "want the opportunity to control their own destiny for their keiki and immersion schools." Likewise, the Ni'ihau community clearly stated its special needs and cautioned the community must participate in any decision concerning its school. Immersion programs are expanding rapidly and greater community control is critical. The Moloka'i and Ni'ihau communities are ready to begin a new joumey for their immersion programs. The communities'

move for greater accountability and authority testifies to the strong foundation developed over the years. One measure of a program's success is its ability to encourage healthy competition and foster greater community empowerment. An example of this is Nā Leo Pūlama O Maui. The community pooled resources, developed a plan and boldly charted its own course for Maui's immersion programs. Statewide, the tide of immersion

programs appears to be changing as the communities take greater responsibility for the voyage. Over the years the 'Aha Pūnana Leo has been the mainstay of Hawaiian language immersion programs. It has marshalled the eeonomie and politieal resources to strengthen Hawaiian language immersion

education. The years of struggle to build a platform for our immersion programs have proven beneficial to the re-emer-

gence of our people's pride and integrity. However, our experience with the Maui, Moloka'i and Ni'ihau communities tells us the time has eome for those limited [ resources to be shared beyond the Pūnana Leo umbrella. OHA has committed tremendously to these programs by providing ! eeonomie and poliheal support to the 'Aha [ Pūnana Leo. Specifically, OHA purchased the Nāwahīokalani 'ōpu 'u school for $2. 1 million, provided capital

improvements and eunieulum funding, and lobbied for state and federal support. OHA is also engaged in a lawsuit against the Department of Education to ensure that immersion funding for the kaiapuni schools is adequate. Through these efforts,immersion programs are mak-

ing tremendous strides. In fact, they have grown so quickly that Moloka'i and Ni'ihau now face

new challenges with regard to eeonomie stability, the certification of qualified and experienced teachers and eumeulum development. As the demand for the Hawaiian language continues to increase, these eommunities will need support from OHA, the DOE and other communities. These programs are beginning to focus on their unique environmental and socio-eco-nomie concerns, so OHA, the 'Aha Pūnana Leo and the state must be ready to empower them. The 'Aha Pūnana Leo will not be able to serve all of the immersion programs in our pae 'āina. Therefore, our efforts to provide eeonomie and poliheal support should ensure finite resources are distributed equitably. This is the fairest and most pono thing that this bureaucratic agency ean do. Eeonomie hardship and political marginalization will force many eommunities to search for creative ways to maintain their independence and identity. Assisting Native Hawaiians to develop a strong, community-driven foundation is critical to our advancement. How will OHA assist in this endeavor? What will our priorities be? Our people dictate to OHA the needs we must consider. The people of Moloka'i and Ni'ihau have expressed their desire to be selfdetermining. OHA, the 'Aha Pūnana Leo and the state control the resources these communities require. It is time to listen to them and remember the wisdom of the 'ōlelo no'eau quoted above! ■

"Statewide, the tide of immersion programs appears to be changing as the communities take greater responsibility for tne voyage."

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TRUSTEE MESSAGES

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