Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child attend if s/he isn't Hawaiian?
Yes, there is no preference in the application process.
Do we have to live near one of the Hīpu'u sites?
No, the classroom sites are an optional resource. They provide a supervised opportunity for students to interact socially during lunch and planned breaks.
How many hours of work will there be for students per day?
In general we strive for 6 hours of work time per day. This may be broken down into time spent on independent projects, doing online course work, or participating in field trips.
Do we have to pay anything for the computers?
There is a small yearly fee which covers the insurance on the computer.
What if the computer is damaged?
Damaged computers will need to be sent back to the factory for repair. The deductible from the insurance company is $100 dollars for any incident.
We don't have high speed internet at our house, is there an option for us?
You would need to bring your child to a Hīpu'u site and a location with free public wifi for this program to be a viable option.
What will i be expected to do as a parent?
As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. Your role as a learning coach is vital to your child's success in this program. We will provide quarterly evening "Learning Coach" workshops in communities with Hīpuʻu sites that we ask you to attend. Parents are expected to "give back" to the school in the form of ʻohana hours.
Is there any special training that parents receive?
A parent or guardian is required to take an online training course prior to the first day of camp. The course will cover the basics of the Hīpuʻu program, and how to be an effective learning coach in an online environment. The course will take between two and four hours to complete. After the course is complete, you will be encouraged to participate in the online discussion board and share concerns and ideas throughout the year with other parents in the program.
What courses can my high school student take?
High school courses are either local courses taught by a content specialist (Hawaiian studies), or they are run through Achieve3000. The exact course load will be determined as part of a conversation with the counselor in regards to abilities and graduation requirements. All students in high school must take six credits each year including Ike Hawaii.
What will my elementary or middle school child be doing for online coursework?
In elementary and middle school we use Achieve3000 for all but our math and Hawaiian courses. For Math we use ALEKS courseware because it adapts to the individual needs of the student. The Hawaiian courses are delivered through a website built by our content specialist.
Can we try out the online courses?
We have set up a sandbox demo account for each of the programs we use. Please find instructions for login here. .
Can we attend the camp with our children?
You are welcome to attend camp with your child.
As a Hīpu'u parent, how will I be able to fulfill the expectations for "ʻOhana hours"?
In your local community you will be a valuable resource for supporting the Hīpu'u program. For parents near a community center there may be housekeeping tasks or opportunities to volunteer time for tutoring. For parents far away from a community center, there may be opportunities to facilitate local projects with mentors.
How many ʻOhana hours are required for a parent per year?
16 hours
Do Hīpu'u students have to take the HSA (Hawai'i Standard Achievement test)?
Yes, students are still required to take the HSA. We will arrange testing during the winter camp, and during the spring camp if necessary.
Who is eligible for reimbursement for sports and arts activities? And how does that work?
All students are eligible for a reimbursement of $200 for costs associated with pre-approved music, arts, and physical fitness classes. The process involves downloading this form and submitting it to Puanani Wilhelm for approval.
What steps can I take when my child is not progressing?
Please view this link to successful online learning
Yes, there is no preference in the application process.
Do we have to live near one of the Hīpu'u sites?
No, the classroom sites are an optional resource. They provide a supervised opportunity for students to interact socially during lunch and planned breaks.
How many hours of work will there be for students per day?
In general we strive for 6 hours of work time per day. This may be broken down into time spent on independent projects, doing online course work, or participating in field trips.
Do we have to pay anything for the computers?
There is a small yearly fee which covers the insurance on the computer.
What if the computer is damaged?
Damaged computers will need to be sent back to the factory for repair. The deductible from the insurance company is $100 dollars for any incident.
We don't have high speed internet at our house, is there an option for us?
You would need to bring your child to a Hīpu'u site and a location with free public wifi for this program to be a viable option.
What will i be expected to do as a parent?
As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. Your role as a learning coach is vital to your child's success in this program. We will provide quarterly evening "Learning Coach" workshops in communities with Hīpuʻu sites that we ask you to attend. Parents are expected to "give back" to the school in the form of ʻohana hours.
Is there any special training that parents receive?
A parent or guardian is required to take an online training course prior to the first day of camp. The course will cover the basics of the Hīpuʻu program, and how to be an effective learning coach in an online environment. The course will take between two and four hours to complete. After the course is complete, you will be encouraged to participate in the online discussion board and share concerns and ideas throughout the year with other parents in the program.
What courses can my high school student take?
High school courses are either local courses taught by a content specialist (Hawaiian studies), or they are run through Achieve3000. The exact course load will be determined as part of a conversation with the counselor in regards to abilities and graduation requirements. All students in high school must take six credits each year including Ike Hawaii.
What will my elementary or middle school child be doing for online coursework?
In elementary and middle school we use Achieve3000 for all but our math and Hawaiian courses. For Math we use ALEKS courseware because it adapts to the individual needs of the student. The Hawaiian courses are delivered through a website built by our content specialist.
Can we try out the online courses?
We have set up a sandbox demo account for each of the programs we use. Please find instructions for login here. .
Can we attend the camp with our children?
You are welcome to attend camp with your child.
As a Hīpu'u parent, how will I be able to fulfill the expectations for "ʻOhana hours"?
In your local community you will be a valuable resource for supporting the Hīpu'u program. For parents near a community center there may be housekeeping tasks or opportunities to volunteer time for tutoring. For parents far away from a community center, there may be opportunities to facilitate local projects with mentors.
How many ʻOhana hours are required for a parent per year?
16 hours
Do Hīpu'u students have to take the HSA (Hawai'i Standard Achievement test)?
Yes, students are still required to take the HSA. We will arrange testing during the winter camp, and during the spring camp if necessary.
Who is eligible for reimbursement for sports and arts activities? And how does that work?
All students are eligible for a reimbursement of $200 for costs associated with pre-approved music, arts, and physical fitness classes. The process involves downloading this form and submitting it to Puanani Wilhelm for approval.
What steps can I take when my child is not progressing?
Please view this link to successful online learning