ʻĀina-Based Service Learning & Leadership Development

ALO is a leadership program for Native Hawaiian and other youth of Pāhoa High School. We have after school programs, camping retreats, and a summer program. ALO partners with multiple community organizations and leaders to provide 

ʻāina-based service learning and culturally-relevant leadership training.

 Once a student joins ALO, we will provide mentorship 

throughout their high school careers. 

After school Program

The ALO after school programs are at Pahoa High & Intermediate School in room U103, around various locations on campus and within the community! Students are transported to off-campus locations with the PHIS short buses.  Program runs from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.  School bus transportation from school to home Is provided at 5:00 p.m.  Snacks and all tools/materials needed are provided.  We are working on these four ongoing project areas:

• Makahiki Games Events 

Students will set up and host makahiki games events for Pāhoa High & Intermediate School, Pāhoa Elementary School, Keonepoko Elementary School and at community events.  To prepare, students will create and maintain game equipment, be familiar with all the games, learn how to score and run tournaments, develop public speaking and leadership skills.

Community Partners:  Pāhoa Elementary School, Keonepoko Elementary School, Men of PAʻA 

• Nā Mea Kanu & Media Production 

Students will become familiar with many native and other plants that have importance in Hawaiian culture, in addition to making a website that link to QR code signs for the plants.  We are continuing our Project Hoʻonani (PHIS Campus Beautification planting project) and working with community partners to improve community education resources by creating and installing signage for plants in our school and community. 

Community Partners: County of Hawaiʻi, Kīpuka Farmacy

• Papahana Pilikahakai

Students will spend time in various areas of shoreline around Puna and Hawai’i Island to form a pilina with these places, kilo, conduct scientific and historical research,and learn lawaiʻa/resource gathering practices and protocols, articulate loina/proper lawena for these places to share by creating community education resources and signage.  

Community Partners: Puna Makaʻala, Nā Maka Hāloa o Waipiʻo, Pōhaku Pelemaka, Kealoha Estate

• Papahana Hōlua

Students will work with Uncle Keone Kalawe to learn about the practice of hōlua, visit and map slides around Hawaiʻi Island, work in small groups to construct three papa hōlua, develop the resources needed to practice hōlua, construct a kāhua hōlua (slide) at PHIS, and educate others about the practice of hōlua.  

Community Partners: Keone Kalawe, Kamehameha Schools ʻĀina Ulu 

Camping retreats

Spring Retreat: Ho'okena, Kona

March 27-March 29, 2025

This spring, ALO students participated in a three day camping trip at Ho'okena Beach Park. Students had the opportunity to work with lineal descendants and lawai'a to learn about historic and cultural sites and resources of Ho'okena, Kona Hema. They learned lawai'a practices, resource management strategies, and came to understand how this kuleana applies to their daily lives. These haumana also focused on becoming more connected to cultural significance of the kai.

ALO haumana worked with certified lifeguards to get a deeper understanding of ocean safety practices. They became fmailiar with shoreline safety, protocols for snorkeling and diving, and holoholo. Students learned to identify, clean, and cook what they caught, in addition to learning about the uniqueness of each iʻa. Focusing on what it took to mālama their fishing supplies, their campsite, and each other, each student recognized their role and kuleana to the greater group, to our community. 

Community Partners: Friends of Hoʻokena Beach Park

Sharing our work: Community outreach