Feb. 19

Editorial Mission: As the Department's primary publication, we aim to live up to the meaning of ha‘aheo – to cherish with pride – by bolstering and sustaining pride in public education and touting the successes happening across our system.

Aloha, HIDOE Community –  Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter. Career and Technical Student Organizations conference This week, I had the pleasure of attending the Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) State Conference at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. The CTSO conference is a two-day, hands-on event focused on career readiness, leadership and applied learning. Over 2,000 middle and high school students from across the state participated in a range of authentic Career and Technical Education competitions in areas spanning business and marketing, retail merchandising, drone operations, robotics, health science, emergency preparedness, agriculture education, engineering technology and more. Career and Technical Education competitions, like this one, give our students a chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios, enhancing their career readiness. Whether they are aspiring engineers, chefs, graphic designers, or skilled tradespeople, these students are strengthening the skills that will serve them for years to come. I’m so proud of all the students who participated and I look forward to seeing how these experiences will continue to shape their future success!

Above, students from Waipahu High School participate in the drone competition at the CTSO conference held Feb. 18-19 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. From bottom left to right, Waipahu Intermediate students use an Anatomage table which features an interactive life-size human body to simulate real anatomy. SkillsUSA students from Waipahu High School show Superintendent Hayashi their pin design. Photo credit: Stan Lee / HIDOE Communications Branch

Federal impacts
We are closely monitoring the new federal orders and consulting with the Governor and Attorney General to assess any legal implications. We are also engaging with national education organizations to understand how other states are responding.

At this time, we are aware that some federal technical assistance contractors who support our work have been impacted. However, there are ongoing legal challenges that we expect will clarify the impact of these orders.

Federal funding plays a critical role in supporting students who need additional support, such as students with disabilities who receive special education services, and essential programs like the National School Lunch Program. As a public education system, our priority is caring for students with aloha. We follow state and federal laws while ensuring that all students receive the support they need. While there is still a lot of uncertainty at this time, we remain committed to supporting our students.

Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week

The Washington Middle School MATHCOUNTS students won first place in the team category for the annual competition for the 14th consecutive year—a new state record! Over 160 public and private middle school students across O‘ahu competed in the MATHCOUNTS chapter competition on Feb. 8 at Kamehameha Schools. The students move on to the state tournament, which will take place in March, and the winners of states will then move on to compete in the national tournament in Washington, D.C., in May. MATHCOUNTS is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to provide engaging math programs to U.S. middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving.

Credit: Zijian Wu / Washington Middle School

Submit your public school-related image from this school year for a chance to be featured as next week’s Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week!

#HIPublicSchoolsProud

Social media highlights of the most engaging posts of the week. 
Use the #HIPublicSchoolsProud hashtag for a chance to be featured!

Makakilo Elementary School

» Makakilo Menehunes celebrated Valentine's Day BIG with a JAN, KEN, PO tournament!! Each class competed with each other and then sent their champion to compete at their grade level. Our grade level winners advanced to our School Wide competition at the end of the day. Faculty & Staff even joined in on the fun!! Big Congratulations to our JAN, KEN, PO Winners!!!

King David Kalākaua Middle School

» Serving the community with a whole lot of aloha 🌺 Volunteering at the Great Aloha Run was an unforgettable experience! Shout out to our eighth and seventh graders who woke up early on their day off from school to pass out water and cheer on this year’s runners 🏃🏽‍♀️ 🏃🏽‍♂️ #KMSgivesback #alohaspirit

Kūlanihākoʻi High School Athletics

» History made! 🏆🔥 Huge congratulations to Shayla Marie Suetos-Tianio for becoming the first MIL champion! 🎉🙌 Joining her at states, a big shoutout to Gabrielle Salas for punching her ticket to the Hawai‘i State Wrestling Championship! 💪🏽💥 Let’s go, ladies—time to bring the heat! 🔥🏅

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

• February: Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month)
  
  
• February: Career and Technical Education Month
  
  
• February: Black History Month
  
  
• March 17-21: Spring Break

In honor of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month, which of the following statements is true about the history of the Hawaiian language in the Hawai‘i public school system? 

1. The Hawaiian language was the medium of instruction in public schools until 1896 when it was banned by the Republic of Hawaiʻi.
2. The Hawaiian language was never used as the medium of instruction in public schools.
3. The Hawaiian language was used as the medium of instruction in public schools until 1987, when it was banned by the Territory of Hawaiʻi.
4. The Hawaiian language was never banned as the medium of instruction in public schools.

Family Focus

Hawai‘i School Families, Students, Teachers – How are we doing?

The Hawai‘i Board of Education’s top priority in their strategic plan is high quality learning for all. Given the challenges of the pandemic, hardships for families and students, and the learning loss experienced across our country, how are we doing? According to a collaboration between research projects at Harvard and Stanford Universities, Hawai‘i ranked 4th among states in math recovery and 2nd in reading recovery from 2019 to 2024!   Our students, our teachers, our administrators, and our families are achieving progress, closing the gap, more rapidly than most other districts and states! Congratulations, all! Our progress is good, but many of our students and families are still not experiencing the growth and satisfaction needed to thrive. We can do more for our students to enjoy school, attend regularly, make significant progress in academic and social emotional learning, happiness, future planning, and community participation. How can we keep up our efforts and move further ahead? Learn of opportunities for students and families through messages by email, text, flier, social media, school and district websites. In addition to all the programs at your schools, check out these free opportunities: Special interest engaging programs from agriculture to STEM to theater in our 29 district Learning Centers Academic help via UH Mānoa Learning Academy and tutor.com online tutoring Mental health Here to Help resources and virtual mental health series Special education resources and workshops from Community Children’s Councils and SPIN (Special Parent Information Network) Family engagement workshops from Parents for Public Schools of Hawai‘i At Parents for Public Schools of Hawai‘i, our mission is to support public schools by supporting families, students, and teachers. We know that students do better, feel more confident, and learn more when their parents are engaged. We know parents feel more comfortable when they have the info they need. So we offer free workshops, in person at schools and virtually to wherever you are. We hope to hear from you – info@ppshi.org!

Family Focus is a monthly column coordinated by Parents for Public Schools Hawai‘i, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of parents, educators, community leaders, policy makers, and other stakeholders in Hawai‘i public education.

HIDOE Headlines

A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.

» One of Hawai‘i’s most prolific artists, Satoru Abe, a McKinley High School graduate died on Feb. 5 at the age of 98. His public sculptures, many commissioned by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, can be seen throughout the islands. Abe was remembered for “helping to build the art community” and mentoring young artists.

» Kaua‘i High School students and community members helped to paint a new mural on campus to take a stand against drinking and driving. The mural was organized by Keep it Flowing and is the 10th impaired driving mural in the state. The mural aims to promote safety and education through art.

» Aika Swanson, a Maui High School junior, won first place in the 500-yard freestyle at the K. Mark Takai/HHSAA state swimming championships, making her the only Maui Interscholastic League female swimmer to win a state title in each of the last two years.

Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

In honor of February as Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian language month, we are sharing resources from the HIDOE Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design (OCID), the Office of Hawaiian Education (OHE) and various partners.

From OCID’s Digital Design Team, ‘Enehana is a monthly interactive online magazine which focuses on educational technology resources for both Kaiapuni and English educators. The theme for this month is Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. In it you’ll find artificial intelligence tools for ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, learn Hawaiian computer science terms, listen to a podcast from second grade Kaiapuni students from Hau‘ula Elementary School about the books they’re reading and more.

Want to learn more about the Hawaiian language?

Here are some resources curated by the Office of Hawaiian Education:

• Duolingo - Free bite-sized Hawaiian language lessons
• Kulāiwi - A series of 24 free online video lessons along with a comprehensive guide on learning the Hawaiian language. These lessons are an archived program hosted by ‘Ekela Kanī‘aupi‘o Crozier. 
• Manomano - A Hawaiian dictionary web application which features a Hawaiian word of the day and flashcards option.
• Nā Puke Wehewehe ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and UH Hilo’s Wehewehe Wikiwiki - Hawaiian language dictionaries
• Niuolahiki - An online self-directed Hawaiian language distance learning course(s) from ʻAha Pūnana Leo
• ʻŌiwi TV - A broadcast initiative with digital and cable platforms focused on producing videos on the Hawaiian language, culture and perspective

For more resources, visit the Office of Hawaiian Education hub.

Tune in to a conversation about ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
OHE director Kau‘i Sang along with Hali Kanoelani Pacheco, a Kaiapuni graduate, will serve on a panel discussing Expanding ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in the state on Thursday’s episode of Insights on PBS Hawai‘i. Other panelists include Kaʻiu Kimura, director of UH Hiloʻs College of Hawaiian Language, Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani, and Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker, a professor in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s drama department who focuses on Hawaiian-medium theatre. The episode airs live on PBS Hawai‘i at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 20.

Work With Us!

Office Assistant IV, Mailroom Unit (Oʻahu)
Bilingual/Bicultural School-Home Assistant (Tagalog & Ilocano), Leeward District (Oʻahu)
Clinical Psychologist VI, East Kaua‘i Complex (Kauaʻi)
Human Resources Officer II, Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lāna'i-Molokai Complex Area (Maui)
Account Clerk II, Waiākeawaena Elementary (Hawai‘i Island)

For more career opportunities in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, please visit hawaiischooljobs.com.

Public School Pop Quiz! Answer: 1. In 1896, the Republic of Hawaiʻi passed Act 57, an English only law which subsequently banned Hawaiian language as the medium of instruction from publicly funded schools. The Hawaiian language was not used again as a medium of instruction in public schools until 1987, the year the Department established a pilot Hawaiian language immersion program at two public schools.

Correction: An earlier version of this newsletter stated that schools and offices will be closed during spring break. Students, teachers and other 10-month employees will have spring break off, but school campuses and offices will be open as during all other intersessions.

HAWAI‘I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Keith Hayashi

Superintendent

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS

Ho‘oha‘aheo

PUBLIC SCHOOL PROUD

Contributors

1390 Miller St. Honolulu, HI 96813 | Phone: 808-784-6200 Fax: 808-586-3234

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