Promoting Hawaiian Values Through Kolohe Time: A Culturally-Relevant Educational
Program for Native Hawaiian Youth
Since the arrival of Captain James Cook in Hawaii, the Native Hawaiian
population has faced numerous challenges (Andrade & Bell, 2011; Sahlins, 1989). However,
there has been a recent resurgence in efforts to preserve and celebrate the diverse cultural
heritage of Hawaii (Kikiloi & Graves, 2010; Laboy & Jacobs, 1998). Significant progress has
been made in bilingual education since the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled that the state has a
constitutional duty to provide immersion education (Romaine, 2017; Yamauchi et al., 2000;
Luning &Yamauchi, 2010).
The Kolohe Time project, our proposed initiative, aligns with the ideas of Native
Hawaiian educator Kalehua Krug, who emphasized the crucial role of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in shaping
Hawaiian identity. According to Krug,
Speaking our language is the tangible manifestation of a Hawaiian worldview; it was
constructed by the kupuna on our land, and it represents our beliefs, our values, and our
practices. When you say ‘ōlelo is important, you say everything that I just mentioned is
important. (Krug, 2022)
This perspective highlights the importance of the Kolohe Time project in fostering and
maintaining the Hawaiian language, culture, and values by providing captivating and immersive
educational materials in both English and Hawaiian. By incorporating both languages, the project
acknowledges the significance of bilingualism and addresses the unique needs of Hawaiian
speakers in grades K-5.
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Need and Problem Statement
The need and problem addressed in this proposal stem from a substantial gap in culturally
relevant educational materials that effectively bridge the divide between Western-centric
children’s programs and the unique values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian community.
The Kolohe Time project was inspired by our first-hand experience of raising our children more
than 15 years ago. During that time, we observed our sons and their playmates regularly
engaging with media content such as Barney and the Wiggles videos and television shows that
predominantly reflected a culturally Western-centric perspective. While these offerings provided
positive messages and youth-friendly characters, there was an apparent disconnect between these
media representations and our family’s social and cultural values.
We recognized the need for a learning environment that not only entertained but also
encompassed the essential threads of our Hawaiian values and culture. The existing stories,
characters, and cartoons lacked the relevance necessary to maintain a strong connection to our
cultural heritage. Within this context, the Kolohe Time project was conceived to address the
disparity between mainstream children’s programs and the values we wished to impart to our
children.
By bridging this gap and providing culturally relevant educational materials, Kolohe
Time aims to empower Native Hawaiian youth by celebrating and preserving their unique
cultural heritage. Through a carefully designed curriculum incorporating Hawaiian values and
traditions, the project seeks to offer a more meaningful and authentic learning experience for
Native Hawaiian students in grades K-5. By doing so, we aim to nurture a sense of identity,
pride, and connection to their Hawaiian cultural roots, filling the void between Western-centric
media and the unique values that define our Hawaiian community.
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Project Description
Project Description Background
Our perspective is deeply rooted in the belief that ‘ohana, or family, plays a fundamental
role as the first teachers in a child’s life. We understand that positive traditions and practices
learned within the home shape a child’s identity and heritage, which are then passed on to future
generations. In contrast, media representations in home and school settings that predominantly
feature Western-centric characters and settings lack culturally rich resources, failing to fully
impact a child’s sense of identity and connection to their cultural roots.
Drawing on our expertise as educators, professional musicians, artists, and storytellers,
we recognized the importance of providing children and families throughout Hawai’i access to
culturally relevant children’s programs. We envisioned a program inspired by the impactful
model of Sesame Street but with a distinct focus on Hawaiian values, characters, and aesthetics
that would resonate with our community. We intended to create programs that felt familiar to our
children on a cultural level, featuring characters who looked, spoke, and dressed like them.
What initially began as a concept for a television show has evolved into a comprehensive
and inclusive program known as Kolohe Time. Our program aims to generate cultural
perpetuation of our ‘Aina Aloha, embracing and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of
Hawaii. We have developed various resources and materials that authentically reflect our
Hawaiian community’s values, traditions, and stories, creating a sense of belonging and pride for
our children.
Through the Kolohe Time program, we strive to provide an educational experience that
fosters cultural awareness, promotes self-identity, and strengthens the connection between our
children and their cultural heritage. By actively engaging with our ‘Aina Aloha, we hope to
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empower the next generation to preserve and perpetuate our cherished Hawaiian traditions,
ensuring their continued vitality for years to come.
Target Population
We are targeting Native Hawaiian youth in grades K-5 attending Windward District
public schools, schools with an ‘Olelo Hawai’i focus, immersion schools, and home schools.
Kolohe Time aims to empower over 500 Native Hawaiian students. The program seeks to
increase self-confidence, academic success, and career- or college-readiness while nurturing a
deeper connection to students’ cultural heritage. By integrating Kolohe Time into the lives of
Native Hawaiian youth and schools, we contribute to preserving and celebrating Hawaii’s
vibrant culture, reinforcing the importance of Hawaiian values in education, and paving the way
for a brighter future rooted in cultural awareness and understanding.
Strategies
We will employ the following strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the
Kolohe Time project. First, we will develop a culturally relevant curriculum featuring Hawaiian
values, characters, and settings that resonates with Native Hawaiian youth, both in online and
face-to-face environments. Collaboration with schools, educators, and community organizations
will be key in integrating Kolohe Time into classrooms, after-school programs, and
homeschooling curriculums. Additionally, we will utilize various media channels, including
online platforms, to broaden the program’s reach and accessibility. Engaging parents, families,
and community members in the educational process will create a supportive learning
environment that fosters cultural perpetuation..
Evaluation Plan
To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of Kolohe Time, a comprehensive evaluation
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plan will be implemented. This will involve assessing the improvement in students’ self-
confidence, academic success, and career- or college-readiness through pre- and post-
implementation assessments. We will gather feedback from teachers, parents, students, and
community members will be gathered to identify areas for improvement and success. Program
reach and engagement will be analyzed using online platform metrics and classroom
participation data.
Sustainability
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This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Many thanks!
Exactly where are your contact details though?
Aloha Vickie you can email us @ vaihientertainment@gmail.com