KILAUEA — The land blessing by Namahana School and its officials on Sunday marked the start of a one-year countdown before the charter school in Kilauea receives its first students.
Attended by several hundred people, including leaders of the Kilauea community, the blessing almost marked the first time families could declare their intent to enroll in the public charter school that advertised tuition free.
“This is a momentous day for us,” said Namahana School Leader Dr. Kapua Chandler, who has guided the school since 2019 when she led the community engagement process that produced the Namahana School’s mission and vision.
“This has been a dream for our community for generations. Today marks the day we begin the bring Namahana to life. Today made it real for our community, and to see youth and ‘ohana walking, laughing and breathing life into this ‘aina is inspiring. This is only the beginning of an incredible journey that we will continue weaving together — a community lei that will connect us to the history of this place and the potential of our future.”
Installed on a lele located directly in front of Namahana mountain, participating attendees, including members of Big Picture Learning, the rainbow of lei ho‘okupu painted a colorful structure in the center of the Kilauea lot, which is located adjacent to the Permanently Affordable Living’s project near the Kilauea Post Office. The location of the lele marks the spot of the Namahana School’s playfield.
Big Picture Learning (BPL) is an international network of educators that collaborated with the Namahana leadership to develop the school’s unique Ola learning framework.
BPL, through its 110 schools in the United States, and 53 around the globe, has demonstrated that its student-driven, community-based educational model produces highly motivated, self-aware and talented graduates with a clear sense of purpose.
“I’ve been working at the forefront of educational change for more than 30 years, and I can say with total conviction that Namahana is one of the brightest lights in the future of learning,” said BPL co-founder Elliot Washor.
“BPL schools have always placed enormous value on our students cultivating meaningful relationships with their community. But Namahana has taken our vision even further by incorporating culture and place into students’ understanding of self and community. All of us in the BPL network are excited to see the positive impacts that Namahana will have on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, and the world at large.”
Guests were able to view and discuss the Namahana School educational models that included key concepts from BPL and Namahana’s Ola learning framework amidst the homegrown mele of the Kilauea Social Club. Guests were also invited to tour the perimeter of the school property with ample water stations provided for hydrating in the rapidly warming Sunday morning.
Other people indulged in activity stations that included lei making, screen printing and even contributions of plant material for the school.
“A year ago, we had just secured the purchase of our very own campus site. A year from now, we’ll be welcoming our first students. I’m continually amazed by how much we manage to accomplish when the community shows up with such passion to make this school a reality,” said Namahana Education Foundation Executive Director Melanie Parker.
“Thanks to everyone who has stepped forward so far, we have already raised nearly half of our $10 million goal for the first phase of campus construction — and I have to note that this is not common in the world of startup charter schools. These are extraordinary numbers, and they reflect an extraordinary school that I truly believe will serve as a piko for Kaua‘i’s North Shore as we build a resilient and sustainable future, together.”
Namahana School is actively fundraising for the first phase of its campus construction, which will include facilities for grades 7 and 8, school administration and site infrastructure.
“Our ‘ohana is deeply grateful for the dedication and hard work that has gone into establishing Namahana,” said Ivory Lloyd, a resident of Wainha.
“It is so exciting to witness this vision come to fruition and knowing it will provide a meaningful solution for our North Shore keiki. The integration of community, culture and ‘aina into the educational framework is inspiring and essential. We are thrilled at the prospect of our sons learning, growing, and thriving at Namahana.”
For more information visit www.namahana.org.
