Group photo at the end or our mid-year camp in Miloliʻi. Jan. 2013
Kua O Ka Lā: Hīpuʻu Program
Enriched online education
Hīpuʻu refers to the knots that bind the strands of a fishing net. Our program aims to bind together learning, students, and families into a supportive network of communities.
Core Program Philosophy:
We aim to extend the vision of KOKL to all of Hawaiʻi island, by offering “blended instruction” for students in grades 4-8. The Hīpuʻu Program combines online curriculum with opportunities for face to face gatherings, community based projects and Hawaiian values and culture instruction.
Meet Kids Where They Are:
We utilize the individual nature of virtual learning to tailor a student’s learning program to their current competency level. We will use a pretest that is tied to state standards to place students at appropriate levels. Students will be given the results of their scores and be encouraged to work towards current grade level or above.
Provide Space for Kids to Work & Opportunities for Face to Face Instruction:
In locations around the island with a specific density of virtual school students, we provide a space with support staff for students to do school work. The part time support staff are trained to help students utilize the resources available to them. In the 2019/20 school year we will have Hīpu'u sites, in Hilo and in South Kona at the Miloliʻi community center.
Provide Teacher support for students to be successful:
Teachers are committed to supporting all students throughout the virtual school experience. They will make daily and weekly contact with students, support staff, and as needed with mentors and parents. Teachers will also develop materials specific to the needs of the virtual students, parents, and mentors.
Provide technology for students to be successful:
Students will be provided with a school issued computer with needed programs for the year's learning. Students will utilize Hīpuʻu website to access coursework and to collaborate with each other in monitored venues. There is a $50 dollar yearly fee for the insurance on the computer.
Foster Physical and Artistic Growth:
Parents are encouraged to seek out community resources and educational enrichment opportunities in community sports, arts, and community service learning. Students can earn course credit through the documentation of course hours and course reflections.
Engage and Connect Students at Camp:
(beginning/middle and year’s end)
Three mandatory camps will be held during the course of the school year. At these camps students will work together on projects and learn about KOKL and the technology that they are being given. Fun, educational, and informative, the students will have an opportunity to share and connect with their teachers and each other.
Connect Students with their Community and Hawaiʻi Island: Projects & Field Trips
Students will have the opportunity to attend field trips that will focus on Hawaiian cultural sites and activities around the island of Hawaiʻi. We believe students should be grounded in their community and understand their connections with our broader island environment as a springboard to launch them towards global citizenship. Grade level community projects will be a part of each student’s learning. The teacher will work with the student, their parents, and local mentors to facilitate a major project. The project will be based around a theme consistent with the mission of KOKL.
Questions? Please contact:
Kumu Leivallyn leivallyn@kuaokala.org
Kumu Shari shari@kuaokala.org
Kumu Kaimi kkaupiko@kuaokala.org
Po'okumu Vanessa vanessa@kuaokala.org
Click here To apply for the 2024/25 school year
Core Program Philosophy:
We aim to extend the vision of KOKL to all of Hawaiʻi island, by offering “blended instruction” for students in grades 4-8. The Hīpuʻu Program combines online curriculum with opportunities for face to face gatherings, community based projects and Hawaiian values and culture instruction.
Meet Kids Where They Are:
We utilize the individual nature of virtual learning to tailor a student’s learning program to their current competency level. We will use a pretest that is tied to state standards to place students at appropriate levels. Students will be given the results of their scores and be encouraged to work towards current grade level or above.
Provide Space for Kids to Work & Opportunities for Face to Face Instruction:
In locations around the island with a specific density of virtual school students, we provide a space with support staff for students to do school work. The part time support staff are trained to help students utilize the resources available to them. In the 2019/20 school year we will have Hīpu'u sites, in Hilo and in South Kona at the Miloliʻi community center.
Provide Teacher support for students to be successful:
Teachers are committed to supporting all students throughout the virtual school experience. They will make daily and weekly contact with students, support staff, and as needed with mentors and parents. Teachers will also develop materials specific to the needs of the virtual students, parents, and mentors.
Provide technology for students to be successful:
Students will be provided with a school issued computer with needed programs for the year's learning. Students will utilize Hīpuʻu website to access coursework and to collaborate with each other in monitored venues. There is a $50 dollar yearly fee for the insurance on the computer.
Foster Physical and Artistic Growth:
Parents are encouraged to seek out community resources and educational enrichment opportunities in community sports, arts, and community service learning. Students can earn course credit through the documentation of course hours and course reflections.
Engage and Connect Students at Camp:
(beginning/middle and year’s end)
Three mandatory camps will be held during the course of the school year. At these camps students will work together on projects and learn about KOKL and the technology that they are being given. Fun, educational, and informative, the students will have an opportunity to share and connect with their teachers and each other.
Connect Students with their Community and Hawaiʻi Island: Projects & Field Trips
Students will have the opportunity to attend field trips that will focus on Hawaiian cultural sites and activities around the island of Hawaiʻi. We believe students should be grounded in their community and understand their connections with our broader island environment as a springboard to launch them towards global citizenship. Grade level community projects will be a part of each student’s learning. The teacher will work with the student, their parents, and local mentors to facilitate a major project. The project will be based around a theme consistent with the mission of KOKL.
Questions? Please contact:
Kumu Leivallyn leivallyn@kuaokala.org
Kumu Shari shari@kuaokala.org
Kumu Kaimi kkaupiko@kuaokala.org
Po'okumu Vanessa vanessa@kuaokala.org
Click here To apply for the 2024/25 school year