Building the Next Generation of Leaders on Moloka‘i

Aka‘ula students perform at the final luncheon of the NAAEE conference.

Talk to anyone who has visited or lived on Moloka‘i and you’ll find a special twinkle in the eyes about this very special place. Just 26 miles across the Ka‘iwi Channel from O‘ahu, the island still keeps its rural and neighborly character, with residents tied closely to the land, sea, and their heritage. But the people of Moloka‘i have faced many difficult challenges in recent times, often centering on the conflict created by divergent thoughts on the economic path to the future.

Knowing that education is critical toward building a sustainable future, long-time teachers Vicki Newberry and Dara Lukonen took a deep breath and a big plunge by creating a new independent middle school for the children of Moloka‘i.

Established in 2003, Aka‘ula School promotes the motto of “Learning and Leading Together.” It currently serves 59 students in grades 5-8, in multi-age, heterogeneous classes. 70% of the students are Hawaiian, 15% have special needs, and approximately 50% would be eligible for free or reduced lunch if they attended public schools.

The educational philosophy of Aka‘ula School melds the best of native Hawaiian knowledge with western education. The core curriculum is the PRISM Project (Providing Resolutions with Integrity for a Sustainable Moloka‘i). National and
Moloka‘i-specific research has shown that PRISM students are motivated to:

• Develop advanced critical thinking and communication skills
• Learn academic fundamentals
• Investigate cultural, social, and environmental issues
• Develop and use leadership and citizenship skills.

The impact of the PRISM program on students was clear at the recent North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) conference in Portland, Oregon. Vicki, Dara, and a few other staff brought 10 students to the conference not just to attend but to also make numerous presentations. NAAEE is a professional organization for environmental educators – meaning adults – and these students worked very hard for months to create their presentations as well as fundraise to attend the four-day conference.

Needless to say, the conference organizers and more than 1,000 participants were very impressed by these students who took every opportunity to network and gain new insights and ideas. You see, they are planning to hold their own environmental education conference on Moloka‘i in 2010 and want to learn any tips on how to make it run smoothly.

This is just a small sample of the incredible learning that is taking place at Aka‘ula School. And it’s an example of how schools can play a key role in producing the home-grown leaders we need for our islands’ long-term sustainability.

For more information on Aka‘ula School, contact Vicki or Dara
Phone: 808-567-6980
E-mail: dara@wave.hicv.net

Write to:
Aka‘ula School
P.O. Box 2098
Kaunakakai, HI 96748.