Founded in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Project No Ke Ola Pono O Nā Keiki has grown significantly over the past four years.  With its initial funding secured in 2020, the program has raised substantial support, including a Federal Earmark Grant, a state GEER Grant local grants, 3 Private Foundation Grants, 5 Hawai'i County Resolutions passed and formed multiple community partnerships. This financial backing has allowed for significant expansion, including the procurement of a new passenger van to increase service delivery. This year, the program aims to serve over 10,000 students across 19 schools in the West Hawaiʻi Complex Area, demonstrating its ongoing impact and scalability.

WELLNESS EVENTS/HEALTH & FITNESS FIELD DAYS
Field days & Wellness events have expanded from a single event in SY 2020-2021 to 20 events in 2022-2023, servicing over 6,700 students.  So far 22 events are scheduled this year across 13 schools, with a goal to serve over 10,000 students.. Schools receive $1,000 each to purchase equipment to sustain these events annually. The field days also provide embedded professional development for teachers, offering practical, replicable lessons that integrate physical activity into everyday instruction.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Since 2021, 35 professional development (PD) sessions have been conducted, impacting over 250 teachers across all 19 schools. These include teacher workshops, professional development events, wellness programs, fitness challenges, teacher field days, golf tournaments and national conferences. Over the past 3 years, A free 3-credit PE & SEL PDE3 course has equipped over 38 teachers, each receiving $500-$1000 allocated directly to their classrooms for instructional equipment to sustain units developed in their portfolios.  This year, the program looks to mainitain that momentum continuing the pde3 course, allocating scholarships for paid PD courses, stipending qualifying time for teachers to engage in PD.  The goal is ultimately to retain, and incentivise our valuable teachers in West Hawai'i.

INTRODUCING "PROJECT EACH ONE TEACH ONE"
Launching this year, the “Each One Teach One” initiative is a mentorship program where older students guide younger peers in health and wellness activities & events.  Ultimately these students will be developing instructional Health, PE & CTE units to run at wellness events. This peer-to-peer model aims to foster leadership, community engagement, and positive behavior. It complements the ongoing Learning Readiness PE (LRPE) initiative, which integrates fitness technology like heart rate monitors and data-driven strategies to improve physical and academic outcomes. Five secondary schools are piloting this innovative approach, with plans to expand​.

FUNDING AND PROCUREMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Since its founding, Project No Ke Ola Pono O Nā Keiki has raised over $500,000 in funding through a combination of federal earmarks, local grants, and community contributions. These funds have been strategically allocated to expand field day events, procure necessary equipment, and facilitate professional development. Notably, the purchase of a new passenger van will allow the project to serve more students and increase its reach across the West Hawaiʻi region.

Schools Intro Flyer To Project

How schools can participate in this project

OPEN PDE3 Course Flyer

Course Memo

Why Health & Fitness Field Days Flyer?

How does a Health & Fitness Field Day Work?