Why did you choose Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani?

The choice to go to Ka Haka ʻUla did not require much thought, on my part. I attended Ka Haka ʻUla to obtain my Master of Arts in Indigenous Language and Culture Education. Since I am from Hilo, I chose to go to a school in Hilo. If I had to do it all over again, I would still choose Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani because of the faculty and staff who are well prepared and versed in preparing others to carry out the important work of revitalizing the Hawaiian langauge.

What is the value of Ka Haka ʻUla to you?

What I found valuable during my time at Ka Haka ʻUla was the opportunities to physically go into the K-12 classrooms; it was one of the best benefits of the program. In the teacher preparation program, it was so valubale to learn from those experts in the classroom both at Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani and from those in the classroom across the state. It was such a blessing to learn from those experts and treasured elders in the community.

How did you grow as a person and how was your life impacted because of your time at Ka Haka ʻUla?

The growth I experienced during and since my time at Ka Haka ʻUla has been tremendous because I love to learn and continue learning about ways I can better myself as a teacher for my students. Throughout the years that I have been in the classroom, I have realized the great importance of working with the families in immersion programs so that what is learned in school transfers to the home. When the child progresses, we all move forward! The same is to be said about the life of this land. Ola!