Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 4, 1 April 1989 — Operation Kuaʻana Plans April "Bash" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Operation Kuaʻana Plans April "Bash"

by Luana Palapala Busby Operation Kua'ana Peer Counselor

\ Aloha e holomua kakou me S ka hui Kua'ana: Operation Kua'ana is a | recruitment and retention | program whieh aims to get more Hawaiian students into higher education, and I to provide them with tutoring, enrichment and support programs to build eonfidence and ensure success. This sprinq Kua'ana peer

counselors are visiting high schools, community colleges and community organizations on Kaua'i, Maui and the island of Hawai'i, to talk to Hawaiian students and to disseminate information on eollege admission requirements, financial aid, special programs and other student services available to them in college. . Last semester Operation Kua'ana held a "bash" to bring together Hawaiian students on the UH Manoa campus and to familiarize them with resources available to help them meet their aeademic and personal needs. A second "bash" is planned April 21 at Moore Hall courtyard, from 4 to 8 p.m. In addition to providing information, Kua'ana is a "buddy" system designed to alleviate academic and personal stress. Students ean get help from peer counselors who are strong in specific areas of study, such as sciences, math, history, etc. Weekly stress management workshops are also offered. Island-wide recruitment efforts are very important because peer counselors focus on reaching rural Hawaiian communities and to present "role models" to students. Recruitment also gives peer counselors, ourselves Hawaiian students, the opportunity to develop eommunieation and leadership skills, to become aware of social problems within our own environment, and to understand our own educational development. For information about Operation Kua'ana, eall 948-6825.

Luana Busby