Ahuwale ‘o Haleakalā kū kilakila.
Kahi ho‘i e mā‘ama‘ama ai ko Hawai‘i a pau.
Ua puka ka lā. Ua hele kānaka.
Mālie ‘o Maui.
Haleakalā stands clear and majestic.
A place where the light of knowledge shinse for all of Hawai‘i.
The new day has dawned. People are stirring.
Maui remains in serene enlightenment.
Hawai‘i is the only state in the United States that has designated a native language, Hawaiian, as one of its two official state languages. In 1987, in light of the Hawai‘i State Constitution mandate (Article X, Section 4) to promote the study of Hawaiian culture, language and history and the persistent requests of parents and Hawaiian community leaders, the Department of Education established the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai‘i.
Ka Papahana Kaiapuni is committed to the use of the Hawaiian Language as the medium of instruction for students in grades K-12. The program strives to provide a quality education based on knowledge of the Hawaiian language and culture as the foundation upon which individuals become responsible, sensitive and productive adults who contribute significantly to all levels of Hawaii's community.
Founded in 1997, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ma Kekaulike is proud to have celebrated 20+ years of Immersion education for Maui's families. Including the class of 2018, 135 students have matriculated and have gone on to accomplishing a myriad of things in our communities.
Hawaiian Immersion Pathway
Students entering the Immersion pathway at King Kekaulike experience a Bilingual language learning setting enrolling in both English and Hawaiian medium classrooms. There are currently 3 courses per year that are designated as a required Immersion course. Students must enroll and pass these courses in order to maintain their status as an Immersion program student. The chart below shows a student's courses throughout the four years of high school in the Immersion pathway. These courses align with the required B.O.E high school diploma requirements in their designated subjects.
Hawaiian Language 202* College level course
In 2017, Kekaulike's Immersion program partnered with the University of Hawai'i Maui College to begin piloting college level coursework with our Seniors. This course is offered tuition free and taught on-campus at Kekaulike with the college instructor. Upon passing this course, students earn 16 college level credits for Hawaiian Language 101, 102, 201, and 202. These college credits are transferable to all UH system colleges. Acceptance of these credits outside of the UH system is determined by the specific college of the student's interest.
We believe that along with enhancing student's Hawaiian language skills, this partnership enhances student's college, career, and community readiness. This course also provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity for beginning college level courses while still in high school. Graduating from high school with a college transcript and g.p.a. is indeed a step ahead of the rest.
We are grateful for the generous resources provided to our students and families from the University of Hawai'i Maui College for this partnership.
Nā Kumu Kaiapuni o Kekaulike
School Year Enrollment by Grade Level
Grade 9 26
Grade 10 39
Grade 11 23
Grade 12 20
Total 108
updated on April 3, 2024