Strengthened Sense of Belonging

He pili wehena ʻole
A relationship that cannot be undone

I stand firm in my space with a strong foundation of relationships. A sense of Belonging is demonstrated through an understanding of lineage and place and a connection to past, present, and future. I am able to interact respectfully for the betterment of self and others.

“I am this land and this land is me.” A strong sense of personal and collective awareness and appreciation for our island home and the diversity of life found here is essential to ʻāina-based education.

Strengthened Sense of Responsibility

Ma ka hana ka ʻike, ma ka ʻimi ka loaʻa
In working one learns, through initiative one acquires

I willingly carry my responsibility for self, family, community and the larger society. A sense of Responsibility is demonstrated by a commitment and concern for others. I am mindful of the values, needs and welfare of others.

“Know your place as human in this environment.” Utilization of environmental resources is accompanied by a kuleana, or responsibility, to care for these resources. A deeper sense of personal and moral responsibility to our island home and “the ability to make ecologically sensitive lifestyle and behavior choices” is cultivated through ʻāina-based education.

Strengthened Sense of Aloha

E ʻōpū aliʻi
Have the heart of a chief

I show care and respect for myself, families, and communities. A sense of Aloha is demonstrated through empathy and appreciation for the symbiotic relationship between all. I am able to build trust and lead for the good of the whole.

Aloha ʻāina, reverence for our land and environmental resources, is instilled through ʻāina-based education. Students develop attitudes and values that motivate them to engage in environmental stewardship.

Strengthened Sense of Total Well-Being

Ua ola loko i ke aloha
Love is imperative to one’s mental and physical welfare

I learn about and practice a healthy lifestyle. A sense of Total Well-Being is demonstrated by making choices that improve the mind, body, heart and spirit. I am able to meet the demands of school and life while contributing to the wellbeing of family, ‘āina, community and world.

“Survival is knowing there is a hierarchy.” Through ʻāina-based education students experience natural systems and cycles first-hand, developing a knowledge and understanding of their function and our interconnection and dependency upon them. The well-being of our community is determined and reflected by the well-being of our ʻāina.

Strengthened Sense of Hawai‘i

ʻO Hawaiʻi kuʻu ʻāina kilohana
Hawaiʻi is my prized place

I am enriched by the uniqueness of this prized place. A sense of Hawai‘i is demonstrated through an appreciation for its rich history, diversity and indigenous language and culture. I am able to navigate effectively across cultures and communities and be a steward of the homeland.

“You belong to the cycle of this island, these islands.” ‘Āina-based education culminates in environmentally literate students, teachers, and eventually communities. An environmentally literate person is an “informed, lifelong learner who values Hawai‘i’s uniqueness, practices environmental stewardship, and lives sustainably.”