Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 8, 1 August 2001 — ʻlke ʻia nō ka loea i ke kuahu [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻlke ʻia nō ka loea i ke kuahu

Heroes are defined by what they do and how well they do it. Effective accomplishment has never been about money and status; it has always been about idealism and self-sacrifice. It is when people are dedicated to something they believe in and are willing to put themselves on the line for it that great things happen. When Kamehameha Schools closed its traveling preschool pro-

gram five years ago, there was little reason to believe that anything like it would continue at the Kalihi Valley Church whieh housed it. It was, after all, discontinued by a multi-billion dollar trust. One person who refused to subscribe to this thinking was Momi Durand, a single mother of modest means and a beneficiary of the program. "I was one of those parents who would stay late and help elean up,"

she said. "After Kamehameha Schools decided to close down the program I thought 'I ean do this."' Devoted to this belief Durand created the Keiki o ka 'Āina preschool. Currently receiving grants from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, and the Native Hawaiian Education Act, the preschool provides lessons in Hawaiian culture for children and a nurturing curriculum for their

parents. Parents are encouraged to participate in the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY). Providing teaching techniques and homework, the HIPPY program gives the parents the neeessary tools to help them prepare their child for school. "Our goal is not only to teach the children, but also give parents what See WAIHE'E on page 10

John D. Waihe'e IV Trustee, At-large

WAIHE'E from page 7

they need to help their children learn in their own homes," Durand said. The preschool started off originally serving 30 students but has since grown to serve more than 140. Operating solely on grants and donations, budgeting for the preschool has always. been tight. Although operating with limited funds has been difficult at times, the preschool has been forced to prioritize and Durand believes that the experience has not necessarily been a negative one. "No matter how big or small our budget is we know we ean always go on," she said. "Because we have never had too mueh money, we have never been big on administra-

tion." "Almost all the money we get goes directly into the program." It was not until very recently, in fact, that Durand received any monetary payment for her work. Despite these obstacles, the program has always been a free service and plans are even under way to expand it into different communities. Keiki o ka 'Āina Preschool is not the creation of any multi-million, or hillion dollar entity with most of its budget going to administrative costs. It is the creation of an idealistic mother with a big dream. and a heroic perseverance. "For me it has been a wonderful blessing," Durand said. "It has been priceless." That in the end is a lesson for us all. ■

Administrator Nōmu'o looks on as wife Pauiine is greeted by OHA lnformation and Referral staffer Haunani Ching (foreground). Photo: Monu Boyd