OHE Hub - Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ)

Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ)

ʻO Hawaiʻi ke kahua o ka hoʻonaʻauao

Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ)

A Department-wide framework to develop the skills, behaviors and dispositions that are reminiscent of Hawaiʻi’s unique context, and to honor the qualities and values of the indigenous language and culture of Hawaiʻi.

Policy E-3: Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ)

Nā Hopena A‘o (“HĀ”) is a framework of outcomes that reflects the Department of Education’s core values and beliefs in action throughout the public educational system of Hawaii. The Department of Education works together as a system that includes everyone in the broader community to develop the competencies that strengthen a sense of belonging, responsibility, excellence, aloha, total-well-being and Hawaii (“BREATH”) in ourselves, students and others. With a foundation in Hawaiian values, language, culture and history, HĀ reflects the uniqueness of Hawaii and is meaningful in all places of learning. HĀ supports a holistic learning process with universal appeal and application to guide learners and leaders in the entire school community.

The following guiding principles should lead all efforts to use HĀ as a comprehensive outcomes framework:

All six outcomes are interdependent and should not be used separately
Support systems and appropriate resources should be in place for successful and thoughtful implementation
Planning and preparation should be inclusive, collective and in a timeframe that is sensitive to the needs of schools and their communities
Current examples of HĀ in practice can be drawn on as sources for expertise
All members of the school community share in the leadership of HĀ

HĀ Philosophy

HĀ is a set of six outcomes that are firmly rooted in Hawaiʻi. These six-outcomes contain values that are universal to all cultures. Educating students in an environment of HĀ will add value to and strengthen each and every person who engages over the course a learning journey. Department faculty and staff should also be models of behaviors that direct students to what these outcomes might look like in practice. Those who are moved by the goals and intentions of HĀ are encouraged to use it in their every day practice. OHE would welcome any moʻolelo (stories) of best practices and successes that you would like to share as we plan forward.

BOE Policy E-3: Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ)

Nā Hopena Aʻo Website

Nā Hopena Aʻo Resources

HĀ Foundational Resources

HĀ Online Orientation: This 35-minute online orientation provides an overview of the development process of the HĀ Board policy, the construction and significance of the framework, and an introduction to the BREATH outcomes. It is an interactive video that can be viewed by yourself or with your team.

[Coming Soon]

HĀ Handout: Six outcomes to be strengthened in every student over the course of their K-12 learning journey.
HĀ Assessment: A two-year pilot to develop a culturally responsive assessment framework for HĀ outcomes.
HĀ Terms: This document provides an overview and description of various HĀ terms.

HĀ Publications

HĀ Support Request

Complete this form to request HĀ support and/or resources including presentations, facilitation, and HĀ handouts and posters.

Once you have completed your support request, we ask that you complete this HĀ Intake Form in order to provide us with more information on how to best support you on your HĀ journey.

HĀ Designers Convening Process Guide

This process guide is designed to support leaders from across the pae ʻāina (islands) in hosting HĀ Designers Convenings bringing together Design Teams.

Process Guide

HĀ Community Day Process Guide

The process of creating a Community Day is just as important as the Community Day itself. We are shifting how we educate, which requires that we shift how we work together. HĀ is a process that begins with self and ripples out. It requires we take the time to build a strong kahua (foundation) that will support our communities as we shift.

Process Guide

HĀ Assessment

HĀ assessment tools are for those who are actively using and have a deep understanding of Nā Hopena Aʻo, and for those who are ready to dive even deeper into scaling and measuring BREATH outcomes.

HĀ Assessment for Learning Toolkit