Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 11, 1 November 2021 — Sing Honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Sing Honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award

By Ed Kalama

University of Hawai'i at Hilo emeritus professor and founding executive director of the Nā Pua No'eau Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children Dr. David Kekaulike Sing was presented the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Nahonal Indian Education Association (NIEA) on Oct. 15, 2021. The honor was announced at the NIEA's annual eonvention, whieh is being held in Omaha, Nebraska. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the education of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Sing is known for his groundbreaking, innovative educational models that addressed the specific needs of

Native Hawaiian children increasing higher education retention and graduation, raising achievement and aspirations for K-12 students, and developing STEM and health career pathways. "Developing successful native programs and organizing caucus groups to synergize collaboration and unifying efforts all started with assuming a child, every child, feels a sense of strength in who they are, where they eome from and believing that anything and everything is possible," Sing said. His education model was applied in higher education through the Hawaiian Leadership Development Program at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo in the 1980s and was the first support service program for Native Hawaiian students in higher education in the University of Hawai'i. It heeame a model replicated by other campuses to enhanee recruitment, retention, and graduation of Native Hawaiians. Sing's model was also applied to a program he designed for Native Hawaiian children in grades K-12 through a pedagogy that integrated native perspective, history, language, culture and values that raised the achievement and aspirations of Native Hawaiian children. The center, known by its Hawaiian name - Nā Pua No'eau - opened ofhces statewide administered through UH campuses. The program was successful in increasing the number of Native Hawaiians enrolled at the University of Hawai'i campuses. "The Native Hawaiian community definitely owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. Sing for his pioneering efforts in the education of our keiki and we mahalo the NIEA for recognizing his achievements," said Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board Chair Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey. "His research and experience in creating optimal learning conditions for Native Hawaiians have heeome models applied throughout our educational system. His lifetime of work has been such a blessing for our lāhui, and I ean only hope that Dr. Sing realizes how mueh aloha, respect and appreciation that all of us in Hawai'i hold in our hearts for him." Sing was awarded the NIEA's Educator of the Year Award in 2008. In 1991 and 2009, he received the Native Hawaiian Education Award recognizing him as the years' outstanding educator for contributing to the achievement and educational enrichment of Native Hawaiian children. Sing retired from UH-Hilo in 2014 after 40 years at the university but continues his work today through Educational Prism LLC, where he serves as managing partner. "I am humbled and honored with this recognition," Sing said. "My thanks to my Native Hawaiian 'ohana, I am thankful for our work together. The dedication to serve our Hawaiian children and families across the state of Hawai'i and building our lāhui, our Hawaiian nation, will thrive in leaders for today and tomorrow."

Three other Native Hawaiians have been honored by the NIEA with Lifetime Achievement Awards, including Dr. Teresa Makuakane-Drechsel in 2012, Namaka Rawlins in 2015 and Dr. Makalapua Alencastre in 2019. The NIEA did not present a William G. Demmert Cultural Freedom Award in 2021, but past Hawai'i winners include 'Aha Pūnana Leo in 2007, Ke Kula 'o Samuel M. Kamakau in 2010, Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language in 2013, Hālau Kū Māna in 2014, 'Aha Kauleo Statewide Council in 2015, Ke Kula 'o Nāwahīokalani opu'u in 2018 and Ka Papahana Kaiapuni in 2019. The Kanaeokana Kula Hawai'i Network shared its gratitude and aloha as well. "Dr Sing represents the innovative and pioneering spirit of our kūpuna through his work to better the educational and cultural outcomes of Kānaka Maoli youth. The foundations he has laid in the field of Hawaiian education are legend and have heeome a road map of excellence for so many of our Kanaeokana members. We "kūlou me ka ha'aha'a" to honor his lifetime achievement and to recognize its everlasting impact on Hawaiian education and the lāhui." The Native Hawaiian Education Association sent its mahalo and ho'omaika'i to the esteemed educator. "Dr. Sing's selfless dedication to the education and success of Native Hawaiian students at every level is inspirational and legendary. Through his decades of commitment and innovation, generations of Native Hawaiian students have been able to have stronger self-worth and, ultimately, achieve their educational and career goals. Our families and communities are stronger and healthier because of his work and dedication." A confederation of Hawaiian language revitalization entities also sent heartfelt congratulations to Sing: "'O ke Ku'ikahi Ho ola 'Ōlelo, '0 ia ho'i, '0 ka 'Aha Pūnana Leo, Ke Kula 'O Nāwahīokalaniopu'u, Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikōlani me 'Imiloa kekahi e ho'omaika'i nui ana iā David Kekaulike Sing e ho'ohanohano 'ia ana i kēia makahiki ma ka 'aha NIEA. 'Auhea 'oe e ke hoa Hawai'i, mahalo nui loa iā 'oe no kāu mau hana nui no nā pua a Hāloa o ko kākou one hānau aloha. Na ke Akua e ho'opōmaika'i mai iā 'oe i ke ola lō'ihi a kau i ka puaaneane i kū i kou kūlana alaka'i. "Our confederation of Hawaiian language revitalization entities, the 'Aha Pūnana Leo, Ke Kula 'O Nāwahīokalaniopu'u, Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikōlani and 'Imiloa send our congratulations to Dr. David Kekaulike Sing who is being honored with the NIEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Dear friend and fellow Hawaiian, please accept our expression of gratitude for your tireless work on behalf of the Native children of our beloved homeland. May you be blessed with many more years as appropriate to your position as a leader of the people." ■

At ^ ^ Mi Jil Dr. David Kekaulike Sing - Photo: Courtesy