Kauwela 2024

The ALO summer program (“Kauwela 2024”) will be once again offered as part of PHIS Summer School in 2024. ALO participants will continue to focus on culturally-relevant leadership training and development of community cultural education materials from  June 5 -July3 on Mondays-Fridays from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm.  Students that meet the attendance threshold (no more than three absences) earn 0.5 Leadership Elective credit.   Summer program enrollment begins in April, and is open to all Pahoa High and Intermediate School students that have completed grades 8-11.  Enrollment is limited to the transportation availability (up to 26 students total).  

Huakaʻi is a defining aspect and the appeal of the ALO summer program.  Students will travel to various ahupuaʻa and wahi pana in Puna Makai to continue their ʻāina-based service learning activities  and leadership activities.   To ensure safety during Papahana Pilikahakai activities, Bronson Toledo will provide certified lifeguard supervision on all huakaʻi in coastal areas. Students develop leadership skills  and collaborate with community leaders and organizations  in ʻāīna-based service learning projects will be hosted by our non-profit partners, Pōhaku Pelemaka, and Men of PAʻA,  (lineal descendants and ʻāina stewards of Puna Makai).  They will meet and work with these cultural experts and community leaders, they will identify needs and issues in the community, propose strategies to address them,  participate in community service projects and develop community cultural education resources.   ʻOhana of ALO participants and all host/partners are invited to join us for the final day of the program for a hōʻike and luncheon at Waiakahiʻula Beach Park in Hawaiian Beaches. This provides the students the opportunity to share their experiences with their families, and bridge a connection from these organizations and leaders to the ʻohana of our participants.