Senate committee backs $4 million request to expand Ho'akea cultural-education program

The Senate Committee on Education on Feb. 3 voted to recommend passage, with amendments, of Senate Bill 5 29, which would appropriate funding for the Department of Education’s Ho'akea program. The committee recorded a unanimous recommendation to pass the measure and noted in its report that the department requested $4,000,000 for the program for the coming fiscal year.

The Ho'akea program pairs classroom instruction in math, science, social studies, civics, language and literacy with community-based cultural practices, including canoe voyaging and on‑land activities. Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi testified that the department “stands on its written testimony in support of this measure” and described the initiative as an opportunity to connect students with community partners and place-based learning.

Nainoa Thompson, president and chief executive officer of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, testified in support and emphasized the…