Kaʻaikuahiwi | Kahua Papa Haʻawina

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Kaʻaikuahiwi literally means "mountain food" and is a name inspired by the abundant, yet often overlooked resources that surround us. For generations of kānaka well-versed in the forest landscape, the wild ferns, shrimp, birds, fruits, roots, and insects of our upland spaces were recognized and skillfully utilized as sustenance.

A moʻolelo from the period of the Māhele ʻĀina during the rule of King Kauikeaouli tells of kia manu, professional bird catchers, who served as expert guides for kingdom land surveyors in search of remote ahupuaʻa boundaries deep in the wao akua-where most dared not venture. Worried by the lack of provisions, one surveyor recounts the great skill and competence his guide demonstrated as they gathered and prepared meals from the depths of the forest.

KSP Kaʻaikuahiwi Offerings

ʻAha - Pathways

Papa - Courses

ʻAha Kahua is the foundational pathway. Completion of this pathway is required before kumu may proceed to subsequent pathways.

0.1 Introduction to E Ola!

This is an introductory papa to the E Ola! Curricular Framework. Kumu will develop their understanding around Kamehameha Schools’ vision and system strategy to influence Native Hawaiian learners and affect change to build a thriving Lāhui.

0.2 Aho to ʻAha: Strength in Pilina

This introductory papa will explore ʻōiwi (native) perspective and practices that emphasize the value of pilina (relationships). Kumu will recognize the program components Nā Pilina Aloha and Ka Lauhoe as essential building blocks for E Ola! learners, ʻohana, and educators.

0.3 Cultivating Spaces for ʻŌiwi Learners

Intentionally designed learning environments grounded in Hawaiian culture-based education (HCBE) help to support the relationship between haumāna, kaiāulu and ʻāina. Kumu will create developmentally appropriate spaces for learning that promote a sense of place, belonging, and well-being that foster opportunities for haumāna to engage, interact and explore Ke Ao Ākea.

0.4 Actualizing E Ola! Learner Outcomes

Focus and intentionality are critical in the development of a culturally relevant, rigorous, and authentic curriculum for ʻōiwi (Native Hawaiian) learners. Utilizing the E Ola! Learner outcomes, kumu will activate an ‘ōiwi lens to analyze their professional practice to inform future planning in designing Hawaiian Culture-Based learning opportunities that maximize program components Ka Mālamalama and Ka Hōʻoia.

1.1 ʻĀina-Based Learning: Establishing a Sense of Identity

ʻĀina-based learning helps to shape personal identity and worldview by connecting learners to their past, present, and future and establishing kuleana to one’s place. In this course, kumu will observe and analyze ʻāina to examine the role that an indigenous sense of place holds. Kumu will apply their learning to their instructional practice as they guide haumāna towards discovering the gifts that ʻāina provides to strengthen their Native Hawaiian identity.

1.2 ʻĀina-Based Moʻolelo: Stories of ʻĀina

This course will examine traditional ʻāina-based narratives and their role in strengthening a sense of place, fostering relationships between kānaka and ʻāina, and nurturing a natural responsibility to care for ʻāina. Kumu will engage with moʻolelo linked to their ahupuaʻa, aiding in the development of a comprehensive Hawaiian culture-based education (HCBE) curriculum that aligns with E Ola! learning outcomes.

1.3 Kaukaʻi: From Uka to Kai

Kūpuna understood the magnitude of the fundamental concept and impacts of kaukaʻi (interdependence) between kānaka (people) and ʻāina (land). This papa will delve into this reciprocal relationship from a historical perspective and how it relates to modern practices. Kumu will engage in the design and implementation of ʻāina-based learning experiences that complement the relationship between kula and home, encouraging haumāna to develop a consciousness of ʻāina stewardship.

1.4 Aloha ʻĀina: He Pilina

In this course, kumu will deepen their understanding of Aloha ʻĀina (love for homeland) by exploring the rich historical narratives of Hawaiian patriotism. The curriculum will delve into the intricate relationships between kānaka (person), ʻāina (land), and akua (god), while also addressing the needs for enhancing the well-being of the lāhui (Nation). Through this process, kumu will develop resources that inspire students to embrace and act upon their kuleana (responsibility) as agents of change.

2.1 Cultural Understanding & Diversity

This papa delves into Hawaiian culture-based practices through the study of moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy), pilina (relationships), and ʻike kuʻuna (traditional knowledge), to strengthen cultural understanding, develop awareness of cultural diversity, and foster cultural sensitivity. By reflecting on teacher practices, this course strives to create inclusive learning spaces that respect and support the unique needs of ʻohana.

2.2 Elevating Relationships with ʻOhana

Recognizing the establishment of strong pilina (relationships) as a foundational component that propels collective capacity, this papa will explore strategies to foster a collaborative and nurturing environment that promotes the well-being and development of keiki, ʻohana, and kumu. Kumu will construct a community of learning that seeks to engage and empower ʻohana as key partners in their keiki’s learning.

2.3 Moʻolelo ʻOhana

Acknowledging ʻohana as keiki’s first kumu, this papa will help kumu to cultivate an understanding of learning grounded in ʻohana experiences and culture. Kumu will create Hana Manawaleʻa (Family Sharing) opportunities that support ʻohana to identify practices that develop and perpetuate ʻohana narratives, and strengthen the alignment of home and school culture.

2.4 Kumuwaiwai Mākua: Equipping ʻOhana

Kumu will cultivate an understanding of ʻohana perspective to support haumāna’s achievement of learner outcomes by identifying current ʻohana goals and aspirations for keiki. Kumu will select resources that address and complement topics relevant to ʻohana concerns to help curate resources grounded in ʻike Hawaiʻi that will equip and empower ʻohana.

3.1 Pāʻani Aku, Aʻo Mai: Play-Based Learning

In this papa, kumu will examine key components of play-based learning to identify and analyze Hawaiian culture-based teaching strategies that support haumāna growth. Kumu will implement developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant learning opportunities that will assist haumāna with achieving proficiency within the KSP E Ola! Haumāna Assessment tool.

3.2 Makahiki

Makahiki is a time of celebration, relaxation, reflection and rejuvenation providing an important balance that Hawaiians viewed as imperative towards their overall health and well-being. Kumu will integrate developmentally appropriate hands-on learning experiences to help perpetuate these traditional practices and strengthen haumāna’s sense of identity.

3.3 Nā Mākau Kino: Developing Skill Sets

This papa will highlight the connection between the benefits of play-based learning and the development of haumānaʻs physical growth. Kumu will explore practices and environments that promote the acquisition and/or refinement of gross and fine motor skills for varying skill levels and abilities.

3.4 Laulima: Pāʻani Pū

Explore the value of Laulima to foster positive interactions and collaboration between haumāna through play. Kumu will build capacity for delivering culturally relevant learning activities that targets social and emotional growth and cultivates haumāna’s well-being.

Enrollment Process

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Kumu & Kaʻaikuahiwi

"Ka’aikuahiwi has brought more clarity to me as to my WHY in teaching E Ola and how I can better connect this teaching & learning to the keiki and ‘ohana in which I serve."

Kumu Stacie DeSilva

Kapālama, Honolulu, Oʻahu

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