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HĀLAU LŌKAHI IMPLEMENTATION PLAN I. OVERVIEW “E ʻonipaʻa . . . i ka ʻimi naʻauao.” “Be steadfast in the seeking of knowledge.” Motto of Queen Liliʻuokalani LŌKAHI Harmony of Body, Mind and Spirit Striving for knowledge in the Hawaiian way is to holistically encounter and use experiences and information with the feelings of the naʻau, the vision of the mind, and an awareness of its spiritual origin and connection. On a larger scale, this holistic experience of knowing acknowledges one’s place in the family, the culture, and the environment—the cosmic scheme of things. Knowledge for the native Hawaiian, defined by the core of the Hawaiian worldview, is far more comprehensive and is oriented differently than that which is offered in the dominant culture of the United States and its public and private schools (See Attachment C: “Reflections on Hawaiian Epistemology”). Hālau Lōkahi’s approach to schooling accepts and applies the holistic orientation of Hawaiian culture. Hālau Lōkahi will provide a balance for our students so they may maximize their potential. Body, mind and spirit working in unison allow for a natural flow in the acquisition and use of knowledge to accomplish that which is useful. As we tap the magnificence within each individual, we trust that members of the Hālau family will experience success in each of the three components of lōkahi. All three areas of lōkahi work in unison to establish a healthy flow in matters of the body, mind and spirit. Hālau Lōkahi creates an environment where all participants, students, educators, families and the community are supported in achieving a sense of personal lōkahi and an even greater sense of unity within their ‘ohana and community. JOY The emotion evoked by well being and success JOY is in both the process and the product that evolves from the culture of lōkahi around which our school is created. We treasure every opportunity to see the world through eyes of wonder and embrace a sense of awe for this beautiful island home we share. Beyond feeling good and right about what one is doing, JOY is a strong emotion that promotes an intensity of commitment. A sense of JOY is a catalyst for intrinsic motivation, which will put each member of the Hālau Lōkahi Learning ʻOhana in charge of his or her own destiny. DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSE, VISION, MISSION...BELIEFS AND GENERAL GOALS OF THE PROPOSED CHARTER SCHOOL Purpose: The purpose of Hālau Lōkahi is to provide students residing on Oʻahu the opportunity to access quality education that is safe, supportive and nurturing, providing a culturally holistic, spiritually grounded and mentally stimulating environment. To facilitate those purposes Hālau Lōkahi will implement a learner-centered, experience-based curriculum with instruction and assessment focused on the inter-connection of land, ocean, heavens and community. Vision: Hālau Lōkahi seeks to equip students, grades K-12, with two kinds of literacy necessary in the 21st century. Students read, write, speak and calculate with clarity and precision, along with participating passionately and responsibly in the life of the community. As a community based, family oriented school, Hālau Lōkahi actively involves parents and extended family as well as community members in the educational process. As a result, the community and the surrounding environment become living learning laboratories where students and community work together to create a future that is pono. Hālau Lōkahi shall excel as one of the many quality K-12 standards-based educational institutions specifically designed to meet the unique needs of Hawai’i's indigenous student population through a community based model of education grounded in Hawaiian principles and values. Mission: The mission of Hälau Lökahi is to provide a means to personal sovereignty through the use of the principles of lökahi, acceptance and self-responsibility. We call this commitment: “ Learning to be self-responsibly free “ Beliefs: The Hawaiian way of experiencing and knowing includes a broad spectrum of awareness and making connections. Called by Dr. Manu Meyer an “ocean of knowing”, this includes: · Spirituality and Knowing: the cultural contexts of knowledge · That which feeds: physical place and knowing · The cultural nature of the senses: expanding the idea of empiricism · Relationship and Knowledge: self through others · Utility and Knowledge: ideas of wealth and usefulness · Words and Knowledge: causality in language and thought · The body-mind question: illusions of separation In summary this means that learning, from our perspective, is deeper, wider, more holistic and different in orientation than most schooling opportunities. We believe that the disconnect that occurs in traditional western schooling presents obstacles for all students with an increased opportunity for success in their own community, and in the global society as well. Additionally we know a person grounded in who they are, mentally, emotionally and spiritually is more apt to view the world as their canvas, upon which they shall create with their personal palette of colour, a masterpiece genuinely theirs, designed specifically to suit their needs and dreams. Filled with the joy of self-confidence and the resulting freedom, the gifts and talents of the individual are at the forefront for creation and interpretation, rather than that which has been determined by a system that is neither student centered nor inclusive. General Goals: Hālau Lōkahi focuses on igniting the spark within each student, allowing each to reach his/her potential. As a performance-based model of education, where individual and collective progress and accomplishment is the point of it all, Hālau Lōkahi brings together the best of the 21st century educational paradigms with the strength of native Hawaiian culture and traditions. think critically and problem solve effectively work collaboratively take responsibility for their own actions evaluate their own performance and products All are skills and attitudes necessary in a world that is getting more and more complex. Students will become active participants in: perpetuation of Hawaiian language, culture and traditions transformation of their neighborhoods into more sustainable communities preservation of Hawai’i’s unique natural resources In order to assure that students are able to accomplish the vision of Hälau Lökahi and contribute positively to society, we establish the following goals relating to core content skills and knowledge. HALAU LOKAHI CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL PERFORMANCE GOALS Students will: · demonstrate mastery of academic, cultural and workplace competencies by thinking critically and solving problems · effectively communicate in Hawaiian and English through speaking, listening, reading, writing, and performing · access, evaluate, synthesize and present information using a variety of technologies · apply mathematics and the sciences as a means for better understanding and relating to the natural world · demonstrate attitudes and practices of life-long learning and work ethics as being essential elements in transitioning to economic self-sufficiency · exhibit personal balance and a unity of mind, body and spirit - lökahi - in their plans, products and relationships with the community Alignment with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education Learning Outcomes and HCPS Hālau Lōkahi recognizes the importance of the General Learner Outcomes (GLO) and the means for measuring those outcomes, the HCPS, of the Department of Education. These objectives permeate all aspects of teaching and learning within Hālau Lōkahi and align with our goal to help all students become effective, productive citizens. The accomplishment of these benchmarks will be monitored by specific documentation, · The Ability to Be Responsible for One’s Own Learning -Hālau Lōkahi students shall set priorities and establish goals, managing their time and to work toward those goals. They shall take responsibility for their own action manage their time and to work towards those goals. They must be able to take responsibility for their own action and inaction. · The Understanding That It Is Essential for Human Beings to Work Together -Regardless of the place, be it a science laboratory, a business office, a forest reserve or a cultural site, Hālau Lōkahi students must be able to manage their own behavior in a group setting. They must be able to work toward group goals, communicate effectively in groups and demonstrate tolerance for individual and cultural differences. They should recognize that each individual must make a contribution to the general welfare of the immediate community. · The Ability to Be Involved in Complex Thinking and Problem Solving -Hālau Lōkahi students shall set priorities and establish goals. Halau Lokahi students a variety of structures of learning. They must also be able to develop various ways of looking at the world in which they live, in order to solve the myriad of problems faced in today’s society. · The Ability to Recognize and Produce Quality Products -Hälau Lökahi students shall be able to recognize when they are performing at a level that is equal to or above that of other individuals from around the world. They must know when they perform well and when they produce quality products and strive to do so.
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