WHAT WE DO
At Kūlaniākea we practice an educational philosophy that begins with a genuine love for keiki (children). This core value of Aloha is one of many embodied in our kuanaʻike Hawaiʻi, our Hawaiian perspective. Building upon this kāhua (foundation) of Hawaiian values, we aim to strengthen and uplift the Hawaiian identity in the youngest members of our lāhui (nation), our kūpuna (ancestors) in training.
We operate a preschool & kindergarten in Kāneʻohe on the island of Oʻahu with the intent to one day grow into serving elementary and middle school age students. We also create curriculum and educational materials that promote foundational learning of Hawaiian language and cultural practices such as voyaging and navigation. These educational materials reach those who have the ʻiʻini (desire) to learn but are not able to be a part of our programs, whether in Hawaiʻi or elsewhere in the world. Some of these materials are also meant to serve as templates for other indigenous cultures to promote learning of their own ancestral wisdom.
In addition to our indoor classrooms, we also facilitate learning opportunities for keiki outdoors at Papahana Kuaola and on board a waʻa kaulua (Polynesian double-hulled sailing canoe) named Kaʻihekauila. From mauka to makai, our keiki are trained to learn the language of nature by observing and connecting with the natural world. Through this work of connecting keiki to nature and their ancestors, we aim to heal generational trauma and other negative effects of colonization, specifically the dispossession of our Hawaiian homeland.
We nurture the spiritual, cultural, intellectual, social, emotional and character development of our keiki through 100% use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language). For parents and other interested community members, we offer similar resources to increase the use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, foster their connection to our ʻāina (land), and strengthen their own Hawaiian identity.
At Kūlaniākea our keiki and extended ʻohana are engaged, valued, and loved. We share a common vision of Hawaiʻi where land, ocean, and people are cared for through values, intentions, and actions that take into consideration a world that exists seven generations into the future. We are all connected in time and space through Aloha.
COVID-19
The health and safety of our keiki are of utmost importance, especially in these difficult and uncertain times. Kūlaniākea has implemented procedures to ensure the health and safety of our staff and ʻohana.
What Parents Say
“The demand for your programs is a testament to the love, energy, and hard work you all are putting in for the betterment of our keiki!”
Kūlaniākea has been a blessing to our ʻohana. The staff at Kūlaniākea focus on the needs of not only the individual child and the classroom as a whole, but ALSO the needs of the ʻOHANA. I have complete confidence that my keiki will grow to know who they are as a kanaka, and in turn have a strong foundation for future education and life skills.
As kanaka ‘ōiwi educators, Kūlaniākea understands the kuleana we have to both our youth and lāhui. Their instruction, curriculum and teaching approaches are deeply rooted to culture-based education which engages, supports and empowers our keiki, even at their young age. We are so blessed to be part of the Kūlaniākea ‘ohana!
