Na Kamalei-K.E.E.P. has provided a range of programs based on the belief that children and families of Ko`olauloa deserve effective early childhood education, family strengthening, and community capacity-building. One example has been the Ho’ulu Hou Project: Stories Told By Us in which we created, produced and self published (12) books with Ko’olauLoa kupuna [elders].(8) additional storybooks and a new curriculum will be completed by the Na Kama o KoolauLoa project.
Our mission revolves around family and child interaction. For Na Kamalei, involvement is a key component. Parents and family members are their children’s “first teachers”, so the Ho’ala Na Pua parent and child interaction learning program provides environments to educate both children and families as they attend together. Na Kamalei’s philosophy prioritizes family involvement beyond the class setting and includes grandparents and extended family care. We promote life-long learning related to parental knowledge of child development and education, to practice the advocacy skills needed for children in later school settings, and to acquire family leadership skills needed to create vibrant communities for all our children.
It is our history, with the community, that has brought us this far. In June 1996 the Ko’olauloa community felt a great loss when Kamehameha Traveling Preschool was discontinued statewide. A small group, headed by Maxine Kahaulelio of Hau’ula tried to get the program reinstated. The only option left to them was for the community to initiate their own program.
John A. Burns Foundation provided the original start-up grant; Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center agreed to support the program at their Punalu’u Unit; and Kamehameha Preschool-Kahuku donated some program supplies.
With the help of Kamehameha Preschool former TPS (Traveling Preschool), parents were invited to our evaluation meeting. They discussed what they liked and what they didn’t like and/or what they wanted more of in the program. These parents said they wanted more group activities, more Hawaiian language and culture, and more teacher interaction with parents and children. The membership consisted of parents, community, and professionals. Thus began the formal process of forming a nonprofit 501(c)3. This grassroots community was unfamiliar to organizational structures and responsibilities, as well as the principles of formulating bylaws and establishing a Board of Directors. The staff of the Queen Lili’uokalani Children’s Center provided technical assistance along with many other friends.
The majority of the developing and refinement of the program curricula was done by original Program Manager Keoana Hanchett, Lead Teacher Kawai Aona-Ueoka and teaching staff. Na Kamalei will issue a new cultural curriculum in 2009 for parent and child interaction programs that consists of many of these lessons. In addition, whenever possible, interested candidates were hired from the surrounding community. Na Kamalei assists all employees with their Childhood Development Associate Certification [CDA] or higher degree.
In 1998 achieved our 501(c)3 status. In 2003, we moved in to a generous lease in Punalu’u Valley from The Kamehameha Schools and eventually became a partner with ‘Aina Ulu at The Kamehameha Schools-Land Asset Division.
Our History