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, Molokaʻ, Lanaʻi, Kauaʻi 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
Project Hōkūlani Leads
Dr. Hye Jin Park
Principal Investigator
parkhye@hawaii.edu
Has over 20 years of experience working with diverse students, including: gifted and talented, disabilities, and indigenous students. For the last 13 years, her research has brought multi-million dollar federal grants to Hawaiʻi’s education system. Currently, Dr. Park is a principal investigator and co-principal investigator of five STEM research projects assisting underrepresented students. Dr. Park’s research interests include education for exceptional students and evaluation.
Dr. Kiriko Takahashi
Co-Principal Investigator
kiriko@hawaii.edu
Along with Dr. Park, Dr. Takahashi has directed numerous educational research and demonstration projects aimed to improve the STEM outcomes of underrepresented students. She has over 20 years of experience working with children, youth and adults with diverse abilities and cultural backgrounds. For Project Hōkūlani, she will provide guidance and expertise on how to support each student’s educational endeavors. Dr. Takahashi is passionate in seeing all students become excited about science and mathematics.
Jerrik Feliciano
Project Coordinator/ STEM Specialist
jerrik@hawaii.edu
He has over 10 years of experience working on federally funded grants aimed to provide STEM culture-based education approaches for diverse populations representing indigenous, disabilities, and other underrepresented students. For Project Hōkūlani, he provides specialization in teaching and developing science curriculum to diverse populations. Jerrik is passionate in providing opportunities for underrepresented and underserved students to learn through fun culturally-responsive hands-on lessons.
Kendra Nip
Data Coordinator
kendraw@hawaii.edu
For over a decade, she has worked on providing educational programs for diverse student populations. She is also pursuing her doctoral degree in educational psychology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. For Project Hōkūlani, she brings her expertise in data analysis and culture-based methodologies. Kendra’s research interests also include educational and neuropsychological assessment and educational program evaluation.
Educators
(alphabetical by last name)
Keora Flanary-Olayvar
Educator
keora@hawaii.edu
She has a strong passion for sharing and connecting science to our home and culture. As a Kanaka scientist, indigenizing science and supporting Kanaka to become future STEM leaders, who represent us as vast and knowledgeable people is important to Keora.
Jerica Mānoa
Native Hawaiian Cultural Specialist
jmanoa@hawaii.edu
For over a decade, she has developed curriculum and programming for K-12 students addressing academic skills in math, reading, writing, communication and social skills. In addition, she has bridged student programming to parents, teachers, mentors and community members. She specializes in diverse student cultures including Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, and more specifically students with disabilities, English language learners, and gifted students. Jerica is passionate in bridging culturally responsive teaching and mentoring with STEM education in school and at home.
Samantha Wee
Curriculum Specialist
skrobert@hawaii.edu
She has 10+ years of experience in education focused on preparing and transitioning students with disabilities into postsecondary education, as well as creating and implementing culturally relevant, hands-on STEM lessons. She graduated with her master’s in education, curriculum development, and has been focused on coordinating STEM projects for elementary students on Oʻahu for various projects at the Center on Disability Studies.
Robert Young
STEM Specialist
rgyoung@hawaii.edu
He has 13 years of experience in math and science education, including outreach projects, curriculum development, and teaching middle school, high school, and college throughout Hawaiʻi. Robert has over 7 years of extensive experience in scientific research in neuroscience and mathematical modeling.
ʻOhana Engagement
(alphabetical by last name)
Val Crabbe
ʻOhana Engagement Facilitator
vacrabb@alulike.org
She has over 15 years of experience working with diverse and at-risk K-12 students, parents, teachers, school liaisons, and adults with disabilities. She is passionate in working with parents/legal guardians of students.
Dr. Yoko Kitami
ʻOhana Engagement Facilitator
kitami@hawaii.edu
She has over 15 years of experience working with diverse and at-risk K-12 students, parents, teachers, school liaisons, and adults with disabilities. She is passionate in working with parents/legal guardians of students. For Dr. Kitami, “it has been a joy to help them learn to work with children through our mathematics-related cultural activities and watch the parents and children grow closer to each other in education.”
Site Coordinators
(alphabetical by last name)
Dr. Lisa Galloway
Lanaʻi Island Project Coordinator
lgallowa@hawaii.edu
She has been an educator for 30+ years and most recently taught biology & environmental sciences at Lānaʻi High and Elementary School for 6 years. She also was the principal author of 2 Native Hawaiian Education curricula at the Center on Disability Studies over a period of 5 years.
Hoʻoululahui Erika Perry
Hawaiʻi Island Site Coordinator
hperry@hawaii.edu
She resides in the ahupuaʻa of Waikahekahe in the moku of Puna on Lononuiākea (Hawaiʻi Island) and is originally born and raised in Hilo, where the Wailuku River enters the Pacific Ocean after descending Mauna Awakea. Her 15+ years of programming experience includes: educational public events, middle and high school environmental science field programs, STEM tournaments, internship programs and environmental training & research. Hoʻoulu is the founder and Board President of MAʻAEA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ʻāina-based education, stewardship, and community outreach to create a more sovereign Hawaiʻi and more just world.
Kanani Wall
Hawaiʻi Island Site Coordinator
wallmk@hawaii.edu
She calls Kona, Hawai‘i Island home, a deeply rooted place where she was born and raised, picks coffee, fishes, ranches and tends to the land. Kanani has 20 years in education in private schools, public schools, and other community settings as a teacher and counselor. Serving her community is a privilege and I find great joy in collaborating with students and families in exploring options, igniting potential, and reaching goals.
Staff
(alphabetical by last name)
Dalen Kahiapo
Digital Media Specialist
dkahiapo@hawaii.edu
He has 20+ years of experience in digital media, visual communications, and incorporating technology into the development of culturally-based curricula, learning management systems (LMS) and academic programs. In addition, he is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning graphic artist who has used his experience in digital technology and learning design to create innovative educational opportunities for all ages. He is also a board member of I Ola Lāhui – an organization tasked with responding to the urgent needs of Native Hawaiian and rural communities for mental health services.
Monica Lau
Graduate Assistant
sokhan@hawaii.edu
For the last 4 years, Sok-Han (Monica) has worked throughout the Center on Disability Studies, where she specialized in assisting with data management for a variety of projects like Project BEAM. She is also a PhD student at the Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education. Monica’s research interests are in the area of assessment and her dissertation is focused on applying the cognitive diagnosis models to assess students’ master and non-mastery of skills and knowledge.
Genesis Leong
Public Information Specialist
genesisl@hawaii.edu
She has 15+ years of experience in marketing & organizing large scaled events focused on cutting edge technology, social justice advocacy and community development. She has extensive experience in inclusive design; social media, and creating content about people with dignity. In addition, she is a graduate student in the Urban and Regional Planning program and the Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Kathy Sah-Kakiba
Administrative and Fiscal Support
ksahkaki@hawaii.edu
She is the administrative and fiscal support.
Davin Takahashi
Educational Specialist
davinkt@hawaii.edu
A year out of graduating from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, he has brought his computer science background in providing IT support and assistance with various STEM education projects at the Center on Disability Studies. He hopes to further explore ways in which technology can contribute to the improvement of education and other areas of life.
Richard Tran
IT Specialist
rtran3@hawaii.edu
He has over 9 years of experience in providing IT and Educational Technology support in K-12 environments. He is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and received his degree in Travel Industry Management. His passion for technology gravitated him towards the field Information Technology, where he continues to explore the ways in which it can enhance and enrich education.
Science Instructors
(alphabetical by last name)
Douglas Weidman
He has extensive years of experience in teaching and mentoring in his area of interest: science, career & technical education. His greatest life tip to pass on to students is to “listen to the teachers as some of them have gone to college.”
Jonathan Nahakuelua
He has led a career as a science teacher following his college studies in environmental science and education. As a Native Hawaiian originally from the Hawaiʻi Island, his knowledge of culture has been passed down from his kupuna and kumus. Jonathan continues to learn new STEM content alongside students and forge new relationships by serving as a mentor. And his greatest tip to students is, “Don’t worry if you end up changing your majors – we often discover new things we are interested in and it is okay to change.”
Jo’el Nathansen
Jo’el teaches marine science and environmental science at Keaʻau High School. She believes that STEM is all around us and she loves working with her students to find their passions and help to relate them to careers in the STEM world to become active contributors in our global community.
Mānoa
Academic & Cultural Mentors
(alphabetical by last name)
Riky-Jaye Chung
Hometown: Mililani, Oahu Alma Mater: Mililani High School
“Even though the college transition can be daunting, don’t feel the need to over burden yourself with focusing too much on the future. I was very much the student that took advanced classes and spent so much of my time preparing that it caused me to miss out on a lot of things I don’t get to experience again. You’re young, have fun and enjoy the present.”
Mia DePonte
Hometown: Waipahu, Oahu Alma Mater: Waipahu High School
“Start early on finding the best college fit for you and also start working on your college application. Take advantage of things that could be free for you like college application or even taking advantages of scholarships that fit your description.”
Jakelynn Poki
Hometown: Waipahu, O‘ahu Alma Mater: Waipahu High School
“One tip for students is to apply for anything and everything even if you think you won’t get it, at least you applied. I didn’t have much guidance when I transitioned to college, my goal is to provide that sort of guidance to kids who need it.”
Kara “Beth” Yano
Hometown: Koʻolaupoko, Oahu Alma Mater: James B Castle High School
“Knowledge is power to help yourself, your ʻohana, your community, and our planet.”
Trinity Young
Hometown: Waimanalo, O‘ahu Alma Mater: Henry J. Kaiser High School
“I enjoy influencing others to pursue new goals to improve themselves and the community. Achieving my environmental science degree, helped me to strive to be a part of helping shape our future through science and/or education.”
Hawaiʻi Island
Alapa’i Kaulia
Hometown: Alma Mater:
Virtual
Pilialoha Rhiannon Callahan
Hometown: Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu Alma Mater: James B Castle High School
“Don’t overwhelm yourself with classes but mai makaʻu. Take whatever it is that sparks your interest, youʻll never know if you dont try. And pay attention to the grants and scholarships out there!”
Star Ildefonso
Hometown: Aiea, Oʻahu Alma Mater: Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
“My number one tip for high school students… is to think the whole process through thoroughly… especially financially, and to think about what you will do with the degree you are pursuing.”
Peer Mentors
Kahoku (Steadman) Chang
Chaemin Lee
Kealiʻikahoʻoneiʻāina Perry
Elle Yi
Internship Site Mentors
Daniel Emhoff
Akakū Maui Community Media
Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi
Kahoaliʻi Keahi
Chaminade Natural Science Department Lab
Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Isabel Campbell
Four Seasons Observatory
Lānaʻi City, Lānaʻi
Lehua Kamaka
Hui Aloha Kīholo
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi
Nāhōkū Kahana
Hui Hoʻoleimaluō
Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi
Sandy Ward
Hui o Hoʻohonua – Mālama Puʻuloa
Ewa Beach, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Emily Cadiz
Hui Makaʻāinana o Makana
Hanalei, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi
Josh Mori
IWIKUA
Waimea, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi
Jennifer Waipa
Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Kilauea, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi
Dr. Mahdi Belcaid
Laboratory of Applications in Informatics and Analytics
Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Kalā Asing
Mauna Kea Forest Reforestation Project
Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi
Keith Olson
Natural Energy Lab of Hawaiʻi
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi
Hōkūokahalelani Pihana
Nā Waʻa Mauō
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi
Nick Farrant
North Shore Community Land Trust
Haleiwa, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Ian Kitajima
Oceanit
Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Kaipo Mānoa
Polynesian Cultural Center and Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi
Lāʻie, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Cheryl Ka‘aiokamalie and Wally Ito
Lāna‛i Limu Restoration Project
Lānaʻi City, Lānaʻi, Hawaiʻi
Kealiʻi Thoene
Terraformation
Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi
Ted Anderson and Jessika Smith
Venture Physical Therapy
Lānaʻi City, Lānaʻi, Hawaiʻi
Communities of Practice (COP) Members
Kelli Ching
Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Elizabeth Conroy-Humphrey
Secondary Counselor
Lanai High & Elementary School
John Villiarimo
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Molokaʻi Extension Center
Jared Galeai
Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Jared Galeai is a Junior Specialist at the University of Hawaiʻi, Center on Disability Studies. He works as the Principal Investigator with the DVR Transition Education & Benefits Planning Project and the Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Project. He completed his MEd in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. He worked as a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the State of California working with College and High school students. He is a Community Work Incentives Coordinator. His interests are working with individuals with disabilities to achieve work goals and live independently.
David Kekaulike Sing, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Managing Partner, Educational Prism, LLC
Designed an education model and directed programs at K-12 (Na Pua No’eau) and in higher education (Ke Ola Mau Health Pathways, Hawaiian Leadership Development Program) that raise achievement and aspirations through a pedagogy that integrates native perspective, history, language, culture and values. Mobilized native Hawaiian education caucus groups creating a voice for native Hawaiian education to be heard through grass roots venues (Native Hawaiian Education Association and Hawaiian Leadership Conference). Dr. Sing was awarded the National Indian Education Association Educator of the Year Award in 2008 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. In 1991 and 2009 he received the Native Hawaiian Education Award recognized as the outstanding educator for contributing to the achievement and educational enrichment of Native Hawaiian children.
Dr. Sing received his master’s and doctorate degrees from Claremont University in California.
Dr. Kamuela Yong
Department of Math and Natural Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu
Dr. Kamuela Yong is the first Native Hawaiian to earn a Ph.D. in applied mathematics and is a co-founder of Indigenous Mathematicians. Dr. Yong is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Hawaii – West Oahu. His research interests include mathematical modeling of biological, ecological, and epidemiological systems using diffusion. Currently Dr. Yong is writing an OER textbook on trigonometry through Polynesian navigation. Dr. Yong is the 2019 recipient of the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the 2020 recipient of the University of Hawai‘i Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching.
Digital Media Policy
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