Kula Kiʻekiʻe (Gr. 9-12) 

Course Offerings

Summer 2024 

Kauluhala Summer Academy is our newly designed space for summer in-person and online learning through courses offered for credit advancement for high school students seeking to earn required and/or elective credit(s) for the 2024-2025 school year. Using their knowledge and skills, ‘ōiwi learners are guided and empowered to access, explore and apply ancestral and modern perspectives and practices to the impacts of today affecting kanaka, kaiaulu, ‘āina and the world.

Kauluhala builds and extends upon the ʻike mauli (foundational knowledge) through ways of knowing extended beyond the regular school year and to allow students to prepare for what is beyond high school through college, career, and life learning educational opportunities. The Kula Kiʻekiʻe program creates pathways of learning opportunities upon which a student is able to travel upon knowing their own ‘ike mauli in setting their own course in their high school career. A meheu refers to the trails that were traveled upon by those before us. A meheu can be smooth, trodden, or beaten – yet it honors those who have come before as both a level of respect and a catalyst to move progressively forward. Kula Kiʻekiʻe courses are designed to help haumāna travel down one or more of these three meheu:

COURSE MENU FOR KULA KI‘EKI‘E

Kauluhala Summer Academy reserves the right to cancel any class should enrollment fall below minimum allowance.

Course descriptions are subject to change at the discretion of course instructors. All classes are full day (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) except for courses with a “Special” schedule.

Four-week Sessions run from Thursday, June 13 to Thursday, July 11, 2024 

Two-week Sessions are as follows: 

Online Digital Courses run for 7 weeks from Monday, June 17 to Friday, August 2, 2024

STUDENT EVALUATION & CREDIT

All students in grades 9-12  will receive a final report card with letter grades A–F for credited courses. 

For Non-KS Hawai‘i Students: A copy of the student's credit level grades can be sent to the school that the student will attend in July/August of 2024 as designated on the application form. You will make this request at the time you are accepted/enrolled in Kauluhala (March/April).

Prior to registration, non-KS Hawai‘i students should contact their home school counselor or registrar to confirm credit eligibility of Kauluhala courses. 

For KS Hawai‘i students: Grades of D and below will be reviewed by KSH HS administration and its impact on repeating the  course during the regular school year and impact on Academic Probation.

OPEN TO GRADES 9-12

HEAL THE HUI: HEALING PROPERTIES OF HAWAIIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS | Two-Week;          Sessions 1 & 2 | .5 elective credit 

Course #: HSH6258
Session 1: June 13 – June 26
Session 2: June 27 – July 11

Credit information & restrictions: 


Heal The Hui is an interactive presentation of Hawaiian medicinal plants (la‘au lapa‘au) including cultural philosophy (mo‘olelo), identification, utilization, and preparation for the purpose of human ailments. Students will engage in project/cultural based learning such as working in our mala, creating la‘au lapa'au based remedies, and ancient Hawaiian healing practices.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE THROUGH SPORTS| Two-Week; Sessions 1 & 2 | .5 elective credit 

Course #: HSH7322
Session 1: June 13 – June 26
Session 2: June 27 – July 11

Credit information & restrictions: 


Healthy Lifestyle Through Sports is designed to develop knowledge and skills that will promote holistic health through scaffolding. Students will also create daily routines and be intentional in making decisions that affect personal overall wellbeing. Topics covered include physical fitness through participating in sports, applied nutrition,  the importance of social health, applied mental health practices, and setting personal health goals both short and long term.

INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS| Two-Week; Sessions 1 & 2 | .5 elective credit 

Course #: HSE7224
Session 1: June 13 – June 26
Session 2: June 27 – July 11

Credit information & restrictions: 


This course offers students an introduction to robotics. Students are taught essential electronic principles; digital logic and microcontroller theory and applications. Students will use these skills to assemble, test/debug, analyze and interface how a robot is programmed. Specific mechanical systems, mathematics and sensor technology are also taught. Students learn to program in C (ROBOTC), Block and Python.

NĀ MELE PĀLEOLEO: INTRO TO CREATIVE WRITING THROUGH HAWAIIAN HIP-HOP | Two-Week; Sessions 1 & 2 | .5 elective credit 

Course #: HSA7634
Session 1: June 13 – June 26
Session 2: June 27 – July 11

Credit information & restrictions: 

ʻO ke kahua ma mua, ma hope o ke kūkulu. The foundation comes before the building is a well known ʻōlelo noʻeau that speaks to the importance of learning the foundation of ourselves before we can build on it. Hip hop was born in the 70s under oppressive conditions in the Bronx, NY. At the same time, Hawaiʻi was experiencing a renaissance and increased interest in sovereignty. This course will be a space for students to learn about Hip Hop and Hawaiian Hip Hop but with an emphasis on students’ creativity to create their own mele pāleoleo (Hawaiian Hip Hop/rap). This is an intensive course where students will be producing and writing their own songs almost immediately then shift to recording and performing to prepare for hōʻike.

LAND-BASED CONNECTIONS| One-Week; Session 1 | .5 elective credit 

Course #: HSS7411
Session 1: June 13 – June 26

Credit information & restrictions: 


This course  is designed to put a spotlight on Hawaiian intelligence regarding the natural history of our island home. Students will undertake a basic study of the geography and geology of Hawai‘i using modern methods. Students will then look at these special places  through a Hawaiian lens by exploring  various mo‘ōlelo with the goal of bringing forth specific, physical information about these important places. Through this experience students will develop a deeper knowledge and connection with our ‘āina.

OPEN TO GRADES 10-12

SAT PREPARATION | Two-Week; Session 2 only | .5 elective credit 

Course #: HS09756
Session 2: June 27– July 11 

Credit information & restrictions: 

This course is designed to assist students in their preparation for the SAT college entrance exam. Students will learn test-taking strategies and review SAT subjects such as: Math, Reading Comprehension, and Grammar. 

APPLIED STRENGTH TRAINING AND CONDITIONING | Four-Week Session | 1 career academy credit 

Course #: HSH6257
Four-Week Session: June 13 – July 11

Credit information & restrictions: 

Applied Strength Training and Conditioning is designed to develop dynamic strength and power necessary to compete at a high level of physical output. Strength, agility, balance, core strength, flexibility, speed, power, the latest trends, and fitness careers will be explored.  In this course, the student will select one of two strands to pursue for their personal fitness training.  The two strands of application are athletic and lifelong.

PREP DIGITAL ONLINE COURSES | Grades 10-12 | .5 elective credit

SPECIAL Seven-week Session: June 17August 2 | Full online sessions 

All digital courses are subject to the following information & restrictions and are presented by KS Digital Education (KSDE), a KS provider of digital resources (1 course) and  Global Online Academy (GOA), an educational provider connecting students across the world (17 courses).

DIGITAL MO‘OLELO: THE ART OF DIGITIZED STORYTELLING  (online)

Course #: HSKD001

KSDE


Credit information & restrictions: 


Mo‘olelo is a glimpse into the eyes and minds of our kūpuna’s which has been beautifully crafted in the art of storytelling. Stories are inherent and has evolved throughout time that shares a mindset, a rhythm and pulse. This 7-week online  course is designed to give haumāna the opportunity to craft and develop mo‘olelo content to share with others in a digital format. E komo mai and let’s take this journey together to find, craft and share your mo‘olelo.  

ARCHITECTURE (online)

Course #: HSG0002

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

In this course, students build an understanding of and apply skills in various aspects of architectural design. While gaining key insights into the roles of architectural analysis, materials, 3D design, and spatial awareness, students develop proficiency in architectural visual communication. The course begins by learning the basic elements of architectural design to help analyze and understand architectural solutions. Through digital and physical media, students develop an understanding of the impact building materials have on design. At each stage of the course, students interact with peers from around the globe, learning and sharing how changes in materials, technology, and construction techniques lead to the evolution of contemporary architectural style and visual culture. The course culminates with a final project in which each aspiring architect has the opportunity to work toward a personal presentation for the GOA Catalyst Exhibition. Students, through a variety of outcomes, present an architectural intervention that they have proposed as a solution to an identified need, one emanating from or focused within their own community. Throughout the course, students refer to the design process and use techniques to track, reflect, and evidence their understanding of architecture.

BUSINESS PROBLEM SOLVING (online)

Course #: HSG0003

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

How could climate change disrupt your production and supply chains or impact your consumer markets? Will tariffs help or hurt your business? How embedded is social media in your marketing plan? Is your company vulnerable to cybercrime? What 21st-century skills are you cultivating in your leadership team? Students in this course tackle real-world problems facing businesses large and small in today’s fast-changing global marketplace where radical reinvention is on the minds of many business leaders. Students work collaboratively and independently on case studies, exploring business issues through varied lenses including operations, marketing, human capital, finance and risk management as well as sustainability. As they are introduced to the concepts and practices of business, students identify, analyze, and propose solutions to business problems, engaging in research of traditional and emerging industries, from established multinationals to startups.

COMPUTER SCIENCE I: COMPUTATIONAL THINKING (online)

Course #: HSG0004

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

Computational thinking centers on solving problems, designing systems, and understanding human behavior. It has applications not only in computer science but also myriad other fields of study. This introductory-level course focuses on thinking like a computer scientist, especially understanding how computer scientists define and solve problems. Students begin the course by developing an understanding of what computer science is, how it can be used by people who are not programmers, and why it’s a useful skill for all people to cultivate. Within this context, students are exposed to the power and limits of computational thinking. Students are introduced to entry-level programming constructs that help them apply their knowledge of computational thinking in practical ways. They learn how to read code and pseudocode as well as begin to develop strategies for debugging programs. By developing computational thinking and programming skills, students will have the core knowledge to define and solve problems in future computer science courses. While this course would be beneficial for any student without formal training as a programmer or computer scientist, it is intended for those with no programming experience.

COMPUTER SCIENCE II: JAVA (online)

Course #: HSG0018

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

This course teaches students how to write programs in the Java programming language. Java is the backbone of many web applications, especially Ecommerce and government sites. It is also the foundational code of the Android operating system and many tools of the financial sector. Students learn the major syntactical elements of the Java language through object-oriented design. The emphasis in the course is on creating intelligent systems through the fundamentals of Computer Science. Students write working programs through short lab assignments and more extended projects that incorporate graphics and animation.

COMPUTER SCIENCE II: GAME & DESIGN (online)

Course #: HSG0020

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

In this course, students design and develop games through hands-on practice. Comprised of a series of “game jams,” the course asks students to solve problems and create content, developing the design and technical skills necessary to build their own games. The first month of the course is dedicated to understanding game design through game designer Jesse Schell’s “lenses”: different ways of looking at the same problem and answering questions that provide direction and refinement of a game’s theme and structure. During this time, students also learn how to use Unity, a professional game development tool, and become familiar with the methodologies of constructing a game using such assets as graphics, sounds, and effects, and controlling events and behavior within the game using the C# programming language. Throughout the remainder of the course, students work in teams to brainstorm and develop new games in response to a theme or challenge. Students develop their skills in communication, project and time management, and creative problem-solving while focusing on different aspects of asset creation, design, and coding.

CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITING (online)

Course #: HSG0005

 GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 


Tell your own stories and the stories of the world around you! This course centers on the art of shaping real experiences into powerful narratives while growing foundational writing skills. Participants read, examine, and write diverse works of creative nonfiction including personal narratives, podcasts, opinion editorials, profile pieces, and more. Emphasizing process over product, this writing workshop provides opportunities to create in new ways. Students practice essential craft elements (e.g., voice, style, structure) while reflecting on stories from their own lives, communities, and interests. They also build a personalized library of inspiring mentor texts, consider opportunities for publication, and develop sustainable writing habits. Both in real-time video chats and online discussion spaces, students support one another intentionally. Feedback is an essential component of this course, and students gain experience in the workshop model, actively participating in a thriving, global writing community. Creative nonfiction has never been as popular as it is today; participants experience its relevance in their own lives as they collaboratively explore this dynamic genre.

CYBER SECURITY (online)

Course #: HSG0006

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

Cybercriminals leverage technology and human behavior to attack our online security. This course explores the fundamentals of, and vulnerabilities in, the design of:Computers (computer components, connectivity); Networks (design, Domain Name Services, and TCP/IP, hubs, switches, and routers); and The internet (DNS, HTTP, routing protocols, and access control for internet devices). From understanding the intricacies of data protection and networking principles to exploring the physical architecture of networks, ciphers, and encryption techniques, the course is meticulously designed to equip students with a holistic understanding of the cybersecurity landscape. Delve into the human element of cyber attacks, navigate the world of machines, dissect malware anatomy, and grapple with the delicate balance between privacy and tracking. Gain expertise in encryption, data recovery, and enterprise security, culminating in an exploration of emerging trends. This course ensures students emerge with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard against evolving cyber threats in our interconnected digital age.

FICTION WRITING (online)

Course #: HSG0007

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 


This course connects students interested in creative writing (primarily short fiction) and provides a space for supportive and constructive feedback. Students gain experience in the workshop model, learning how to effectively critique and discuss one another’s writing in an online environment. In addition to developing skills as readers within a workshop setting, students strive to develop their own writing identities through a variety of exercises. The course capitalizes on the geographic diversity of the students by eliciting stories that shed light on both the commonalities and differences of life experiences in different locations. Additionally, students read and discuss the work of authors from around the globe. Students’ essential responsibilities are twofold: to engage in the class as readers and writers and to focus on their development as readers and writers. Both require participation in discussions of various formats within the course’s online community, as well as dedicated time outside of class reading and providing feedback on one another’s work as well as writing original pieces for the workshop.

GENOCIDE & HUMAN RIGHTS (online)

Course #: HSG0008

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

Students in this course study several of the major 20th century genocides (Armenian, the Holocaust, Cambodian, and Rwandan), analyze the role of the international community in responding to and preventing further genocide (with particular attention to the Nuremberg tribunals), and examine current human rights crises around the world. Students read primary and secondary sources, participate in both synchronous and asynchronous discussions with classmates, write brief papers, read short novels, watch documentaries, and develop a human rights report card website about a nation of their choice.

INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL THINKING (online)

Course #: HSG0012

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 


Inspired by GOA’s popular Medical Problem Solving series, this course uses a case-based approach to give students a practical look into the professional lives of lawyers and legal thinking. By studying and debating a series of real legal cases, students sharpen their ability to think like lawyers who research, write, and speak persuasively. The course focuses on problems that lawyers encounter in daily practice, and on the rules of professional conduct case law. In addition to practicing writing legal briefs, advising fictional clients, and preparing opening and closing statements for trial, students approach such questions as the law and equity, the concept of justice, jurisprudence, and legal ethics. 

MEDICAL PROBLEM SOLVING I (online)

Course #: HSG0013  

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 


In this course, students collaboratively solve medical mystery cases, similar to the approach used in many medical schools. Students enhance their critical-thinking skills as they examine data, draw conclusions, diagnose, and identify appropriate treatment for patients. Students use problem-solving techniques in order to understand and appreciate relevant medical/biological facts as they confront the principles and practices of medicine. Students explore anatomy and physiology pertaining to medical scenarios and gain an understanding of the disease process, demographics of disease, and pharmacology. Additional learning experiences include studying current issues in health and medicine, interviewing a patient, and creating a new mystery case.

MICROECONOMICS (online)

Course #: HSG0014

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 


In this course, students learn about how consumers and producers interact to form a market and then how and why the government may intervene in that market. Students deepen their understanding of basic microeconomic theory through class discussion and debate, problem solving, and written reflection. Students visit a local production site and write a report using the market principles they have learned. Economic ways of thinking about the world help them better understand their roles as consumers and workers, and someday, as voters and producers.

PERSONAL FINANCE (online)

Course #: HSG0015

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

In this course, students learn financial responsibility and social consciousness. They examine a wide array of topics including personal budgeting, credit cards and credit scores, career and earning potential, insurance, real estate, financial investment, retirement savings, charitable giving, taxes, and other items related to personal finance. Students apply their understanding of these topics by simulating real-life financial circumstances and weighing the costs and benefits of their decisions. Throughout the course, students have the opportunity to learn from individuals with varying perspectives and expertise in numerous fields. By reflecting on their roles in the broader economy as both producers and consumers, students begin to consider how they can positively impact the world around them through their financial decisions.

INVESTING I (online)

Course #: HSG0019

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 


In this course, students simulate the work of investors by working with the tools, theories, and decision-making practices that define smart investment. Students explore concepts in finance and apply them to investment decisions in three primary contexts: portfolio management, venture capital, and social investing. After an introduction to theories about valuation and risk management, students simulate scenarios in which they must make decisions to grow an investment portfolio. They manage investments in stocks, bonds, and options to learn a range of strategies for increasing the value of their portfolios. In the second unit, students take the perspective of venture capital investors, analyzing startup companies and predicting their value before they become public. In the third unit, students examine case studies of investment funds that apply the tools of finance to power social change. Throughout the course, students learn from experts who have experience in identifying value and managing risk in global markets. They develop their own ideas about methods for weighing financial risks and benefits and leave this course not just with simulated portfolio of investments, but the skills necessary to manage portfolios in the future.

 INTRODUCTION TO BRANDING & MARKETING (online)

Course #: HSG0022

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

In our increasingly digitized world, we are bombarded by ads every day and presented with an immeasurable amount of content across all media platforms. It has become increasingly difficult for brands to break through the noise and capture the attention of their intended audience. In this course, students learn what it takes to build an effective brand that can authentically connect with consumers and create long-term brand equity. The course starts with introducing what a brand is and goes on to explore how different branding elements, such as visual identity, advertising strategy, and content marketing, as well as the intangible elements of the customer journey, come together to create a unique brand experience. By applying marketing theories, interviewing experts, and analyzing modern case studies, students develop and strengthen their competencies as brand strategists. Students also examine how responding to important ethical, social, and environmental issues can impact the brand’s success. The course culminates in a final project where students collaborate to design an impactful brand campaign for a mission-driven company, organization, or initiative.

INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (online)

Course #: HSG0021

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

Aspects of artificial intelligence permeate our lives and the algorithms power your favorite apps. How much do you really know about how AI works or how it is changing the world around us? This course explores the history of research into artificial general intelligence and the subsequent focus on the subfields of narrow AI: neural networks, machine learning and expert systems, deep learning, natural language processing, and machine vision and facial recognition. Students also learn how AI training datasets cause bias and focus on the ethics and principles of responsible AI: fairness, transparency and explainability, human centeredness, and privacy and security.

INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (online)

Course #: HSG0023

GOA


Credit information & restrictions: 

What does it mean to think like a psychologist? In Introduction to Psychology, students explore three central psychological perspectives — the behavioral, the cognitive, and the sociocultural — in order to develop a multifaceted understanding of what thinking like a psychologist encompasses. The additional question of “How do psychologists put what they know into practice?” informs study of the research methods in psychology, the ethics surrounding them, and the application of those methods to practice. During the first five units of the course, students gather essential information that they apply during a group project on the unique characteristics of adolescent psychology. Students similarly envision a case study on depression, which enables application of understandings from the first five units. The course concludes with a unit on positive psychology, which features current positive psychology research on living mentally healthy lives. Throughout the course, students collaborate on a variety of activities and assessments, which often enable learning about each other’s unique perspectives, while building their research and critical-thinking skills in service of understanding the complex field of psychology.

OPEN TO GRADES 11-12

KAUNALOA Dual Credit Program

Arizona State University (ASU) - online 

Credit information & restrictions: 

We are pleased to announce our continued post-high partnership, to offer online dual credit classes through Arizona State University. Please contact Kula Ki‘eki‘e administrator, Mr. Isaac Vigilla, for summer courses, registration, and program qualifications.