Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 2, 1 February 1995 — Pūnana Leo gets OHA grant [ARTICLE]

Pūnana Leo gets OHA grant

* Monev will be used to start Bia lsland intermediate and hiah school

by Patrick Johnston The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has approved a $2.1 million grant to Aha Pūnana Leo, ine. (APL) for the purchase of the former Henry 'Opukaha'ia school near Kea'au on the Big Island. The 10-acre site will initially

become a Hawaiian language immersion intermediate and high school for Big Island students. Future plans include offering boarding facilities and elementary and preshool classes. In a unanimous vote, the OHA Board of Trustees voted in favor of what OHA Qiairman Clayton Hee said will become "the first and only

Hawaiian language institution in the state." 'Aha Pūnana Leo presently provides Hawaiian language schooling for preschool students and has at least one school on eaeh island. The schools are private but receive funding from the federal government through the Native Hawaiian Education Act. Nearly 900 students are enrolled

in the state's Hawaiian immersion programs but the eldest students are now in eighth grade and a high school site has yet to be designated. While funding for the Pūnana Leo school will initially all eome from OHA, Hee said his discussions with First Hawaiian Bank and other major banks in the state made him confident that other capital would be raised to lessen OHA's share. Hee expects First Hawaiian Bank Foundation and other groups to provide nearly half of the $2.1 million OHA is initially providing. Pūnana Leo preschools coordinator Nāmaka Rawlins was grateful for OHA's support. "No one else eame through for our continued on page 4

Punana Leo grant conditions: • Any future funds APL receives from other sources (i.e. banks, foundations) shall be immediately forwarded to OHA. • The use of the money is restricted to the acquisition, establishment and maintenance of the school. Any money not used in this way should be returned to OHA unless OHA agrees to the alternative use. • OHA gets right of first refusal on the property if APL sells the school or discontinues the Hawaiian language immersion program. • OHA appoints a member to the APL board to oversee the programs of the school. • OHA is released of all liability arising from the ownership, possession or use of the school. • APL must carry appropriate insurance on the school.

Punana Leo from page 1

language and our culture. OHA is giving us the opportunity to expand the immersion program and create a completely Hawaiian language environment." In supporting the funding proposal, OHA Chairman Clayton Hee commended the work of a number of individuals including Education and Culture Chairman Samuel L. Kealoha Sr., First Hawaiian Bank Chairman and CEO Walter Dodds, FHB Vice President Gary Kai and FHB's community reinvestment officer, Corbett Kalama. Kalama

will sit on 'Aha Pūnana Leo Inc.'s board as their fiscal officer. Trustee Kealoha said at the meeting that he "was a product of the generation not privileged to leam their mother tongue" and that he was proud that Hawaiians were rediscovering and bringing back their language. After the vote Hee commended the entire board for their supf»ort. "I have never been prouder of the members of this board. They have given the gift of their identity back to the Hawaiian people."