Kū haʻaheo e kuʻu Hawaiʻi
Māmakakaua o kuʻu ‘āina
‘O ke ʻehu kakahiaka o nā ‘Ōiwi o Hawaiʻi nei
No kuʻu lāhui e hā’awi pau a i ola mau
Stand tall my Hawaiʻi
Band of warriors of my land
The new dawn for our people of Hawaiʻi is upon us
For my nation I give my all so that our legacy lives on
-From “Kū Haʻaheo e Kuʻu Hawaiʻi” by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu
Our charter schools are more than just places of learning – they are sanctuaries where our keiki reconnect with their roots, embrace mālama ʻāina, and strengthen their identity as Native Hawaiians.
These schools rely on federal funding to continue their vital work, yet proposed policy shifts threaten their future. Now is the time to advocate for our keiki and ensure these schools receive the resources they need to flourish.
Students from Hālau Kū Māna in Honolulu wrote to me with deep concerns over potential funding cuts, sharing how federal support provides hands-on learning experiences that connect them to their culture and ʻāina – from restoring fishponds to learning ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. These opportunities are essential to their education, shaping their growth and preparing them for the future.
Their concerns echo those of students across other Native Hawaiian focused charter schools, which depend on federal funding to sustain similar programs. Without these resources, students could lose not only access to school supplies and meals, but also the immersive experiences that connect them to their ʻāina and kūpuna.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) recognizes the critical role of these programs and remains committed to advocating for their preservation and expansion. Our Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan supports education through Hawaiian language medium and focused Charter Schools.
Over the past two fiscal years, OHA has distributed $6 million in grants to support the 17 Native Hawaiian charter schools across Hawaiʻi, reinforcing our shared commitment to Native Hawaiian education.
For decades, programs like the Native Hawaiian Education Act (NHEA) have ensured that our keiki receive an education that honors our culture. Federal grants support curriculum development, teacher training, huakaʻi, and essential services that allow our schools to thrive. Without these resources, many haumāna would be deprived of the culturally grounded education they need and deserve.
The new federal administration has signaled potential reductions in funding and a shift in priorities, including a freeze on financial assistance under Executive Memo M-25-13. These changes put vital programs at risk including: Administration for Native Americans; Bay-Watershed Education and Training Program; Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and; Department of the Interior – Kapapahuliau Grant Program.
If these programs are reduced or eliminated, Native Hawaiian charter schools will struggle to sustain the critical work they do in educating our keiki in a way that is relevant to their lives and culture. Let’s unite as a community and make our voices heard. Native Hawaiian charter schools are essential to our keiki’s success and cultural connection.
OHA remains committed to advocating for their future, but we cannot do this alone. It will take all of us – families, educators, and leaders – to protect these vital schools. This is a fight for our culture, our identity, and the future of our lāhui. Kū Haʻaheo E Kuʻu Hawaiʻi.
