About
Our Goal: to support Native Hawaiian high school students into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields through a year-long, culture-based and work-based program. Project Hōkūlani is available to high school students on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi islands.
The Hōkūlani Program Model
The Hōkūlani program is a 5-component program, consisting of:
- Academic Enrichment in Science
Students will gain an in-depth introduction to 6 different areas of science (health science, agricultural science, astronomy, creative/digital media, computer science, and sustainability). Each lesson will include hands-on activities. - Mentoring
The focus of these lessons will be to showcase the connection between science and Native Hawaiian culture and practices. In addition, Native Hawaiians, who are currently working in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) careers, will share the knowledge they gained on their journeys with our student participants. - College Transition Support
These lessons are designed to prepare students for college in STEM fields. Topics include: examples of STEM majors and classes, essay writing practice, scholarship program for Native Hawaiian students, helpful educational technology, and a college campus tour (if permitted). - STEM Internships
Students will have a real-world, firsthand experience working at a STEM workplace in their community. During their internship, students will be guided by their mentor to develop introductory skills and gain foundational knowledge in this particular career field. - ʻOhana Gatherings
Parents/Guardians/Kupuna of participating students will be invited to join our parent workshop series. These workshops will be held half online and half in-person (if permitted) at one of our satellite campuses. In these workshops, parents/guardians will learn how to support their child(ren) in science learning and college transition at home, participate in Native Hawaiian and local Hawaiʻi culture-based STEM hands-on activities, and learn more about resources for college (such as early college/dual enrollment programs, scholarships/financial aid for Native Hawaiians, and more!). Siblings of student participants are welcome to join the in-person activities too!
The Team
Meet the administrators and coordinators of Project Hōkūlani
Hye Jin Park
Principal Investigator
parkhye@hawaii.edu
Kiriko Takahashi
Co-Principal Investigator
kiriko@hawaii.edu
Jerrik Feliciano
Project Coordinator/ STEM Specialist
jerrik@hawaii.edu
Kendra Nip
Project Coordinator/ Data Specialist
kendraw@hawaii.edu
Alejandro Guillen
STEM Specialist
am3@hawaii.edu
Dalen Kahiapo
Digital Media Specialist
dkahiapo@hawaii.edu
Yoko Kitami
ʻOhana Engagement Facilitator
kitami@hawaii.edu
Monica Lau
Graduate Assistant
sokhan@hawaii.edu
Genesis Leong
Public Information Specialist
genesisl@hawaii.edu
Jerica Mānoa
Native Hawaiian Cultural Specialist
jmanoa@hawaii.edu
Tingting Reid
Data Specialist
treid@hawaii.edu
Kathy Sah-Kakiba
Administrative and Fiscal Support
ksahkaki@hawaii.edu
Site Coordinators
Mellanie Lee
Hawaiʻi Island Project Coordinator
mellanie@hawaii.edu
Ho’oululahui Erika Perry
Hawaiʻi Island Site Coordinator
hperry@hawaii.edu
Cheryl Corbiell
Molokaʻi Site Co-Coordinator
corbiell@hawaii.edu
Caryl Hitchcock
Molokaʻi Site Coordinator
chh@hawaii.edu
Academic/Cultural Mentors
Coming Soon
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Coming Soon
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Coming Soon
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Coming Soon
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Coming Soon
Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi
Coming Soon
Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi
Coming Soon
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Molokaʻi Extension Center
Coming Soon
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Molokaʻi Extension Center
Coming Soon
Hawaiʻi Community College Hilo
Coming Soon
Hawaiʻi Community College Hilo
Coming Soon
Hawaiʻi Community College Kona
Science Instructors
Alejandro Guillen
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Coming Soon
University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu
Coming Soon
Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi
Coming Soon
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Molokaʻi Extension Center
Coming Soon
Hawaiʻi Community College Hilo
Coming Soon
Hawaiʻi Community College Kona
Internship Site Mentors
Dr. Mahdi Belcaid
Laboratory of Applications in Informatics and Analytics
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Nick Farrant
North Shore Community Land Trust
Haleiwa, Hawaiʻi
Kahoaliʻi Keahi
Chaminade Natural Science Department Lab
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Ian Kitajima
Oceanit
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Kaipo Mānoa
Polynesian Cultural Center and Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi
Lāʻie, Hawaiʻi
Sandy Ward
Hui o Hoʻohonua – Mālama Puʻuloa
Ewa Beach, Hawaiʻi
Josiah Ching
Molokaʻi Land Trust
Kaunakakai, Hawaiʻi
Daniel Emhof
Akakū Maui Community Media
Kaunakakai, Hawaiʻi
Kalā Asing
Mauna Kea Forest Reforestation Project
Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Nāhōkū Kahana
Hui Hoʻoleimaluō
Hilo, Hawaiʻi
Lehua Kamaka
Hui Aloha Kīholo
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
Keith Olson
Natural Energy Lab of Hawaiʻi
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi
ʻĀnela Evans
Four Seasons Observatory
Lānaʻi City, Lānaʻi
COP Members
Kelli Ching
Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Jared Galeai
Center on Disability Studies at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
John Villiarimo
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Molokaʻi Extension Center
Dr. Kamuela Yong
Department of Math and Natural Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu
Collaborator (ALU LIKE)
Val Crabbe
ʻOhana Engagement Facilitator
Digital Media Policy
[Click Here] to view our Digital Media Policy
