Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana
The free comprehensive family education program is based at Blanche Pope Elementary School in Waimānalo where the family comes to school to learn together.
Moʻolelo | About | Values | Components | Recent News
About
Preparing Native Hawaiian children for academic success!
While many preschools focus on the child, Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana focuses on the entire family. Staff like to say instead of “no child left behind,” the program’s mission is “no family left behind.” Nā Pono No Nā ‘Ohana serves families using the four components of Family Literacy from the National Center for Families Learning: PACT (Parents And Children Together), Child Education, Parent Education, and Adult Education.
Nā Pono started out as an Even Start grant in 2001 through the Department of Education before becoming a program of Partners in Development Foundation in 2003. Since then, over 3,000 Native Hawaiian families have been served by the programs. Nā Pono No Nā ‘Ohana also partners with local businesses and individuals to distribute food through community outreach to homeless participants.
The comprehensive family education program is based at Blanche Pope Elementary School in Waimānalo where the family comes to school to learn together. It is designed to prepare Native Hawaiian children for academic success in school, build parenting skills, provide guidance and assistance for adults to advance their own education, and help adults with work preparedness.
Values
Striving for achievement and excellence
The Nā Pono experience begins when the families drive up to the school. After each day, and each school year, through generations of people attending the Nā Pono programs, the hope is to see these individuals participating in their communities in other ways.
Nā Pono No Nā ‘Ohana contends that while Hawaiian traditions and western values may differ, they are not incompatible. The two cultures actually share values such as pa‘ahana (righteousness), poʻokela (excellence), alaka‘i (leadership), and ku i ka ni‘o (achievement). Where they differ is in their approach: Hawaiians practice these values by not drawing attention to themselves, but rather striving for achievement and excellence through working hard for the benefit of the group.
By integrating progressive teaching methods with Native Hawaiian cultural values, Nā Pono No Nā ‘Ohana seeks to improve social, economic, and educational opportunities for families in the program.
To Participate or Learn More,
Contact the Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana main office at (808) 259-0243 or email us using our contact form.
Program Components
Recent News
ʻEleu Rally for FCIL
The annual ʻEleu rally for Family-Child Interaction Learning (FCIL) was held at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol building alongside our ʻEleu partners Keiki O Ka ʻĀina and INPEACE.
Preschools Pick Pumpkins
Preschool sites with our Tūtū and Me, Ka Paʻalana, and Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana programs went on huakaʻi throughout October to pick pumpkins, pet animals, and learn a little more about farming on the ʻāina.
15 Keiki Graduate Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana JK
Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana’s Junior Kindergarten had 15 keiki graduate this year. The festivities took place on site at Blanche Pope Elementary School in Waimānalo, and the attending families were able to enjoy the keiki’s artwork from the year hung up across the walls.
Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana Helps Moses Earn Diploma
From keiki to caregiver, Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana helps the entire Waimānalo community. Moses Kailihiwa is just one of many individuals who worked with Nā Pono to earn his diploma and better his life.