Program Information
Project Hōkūlani is an educational research program housed at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and funded by the U.S. Department of Education Native Hawaiian Education Program Grant.
Our research project will serve 110 high school students (preference given to those with Native Hawaiian ancestry) who will be in grades 9-12 this Fall on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lanaʻi, Kauaʻi or Hawaiʻi islands.
The Hōkūlani program consists of 5 components – (1) academic enrichment in science, (2) mentoring, (3) college transition support, (4) STEM internship, and (5) ʻohana workshops. The program duration is 1 year – from September 2023 to July 2024.
Program Dates
Fall Semester (September-December)
- Option 1:
- 2 Saturday mornings per month (9:00 am – 12:30 pm)
- In-Person at one of our satellite campuses (see below for a list of locations) or Online (on Zoom)
- Option 2:
- 2 weeks per month
- Tuesdays (4:00 – 5:15 pm) & Thursdays (4:00 – 6:30 pm)
- Online (on Zoom)
Spring Semester (January – May)
Students can choose one of the class options below:
- Option 1:
- 2 Saturday mornings per month (9:00 am – 12:30 pm)
- In-Person at one of our satellite campuses (see below for a list of locations) or Online (on Zoom)
- Option 2:
- 2 weeks per month
- Tuesdays (4:00 – 5:15 pm) & Thursdays (4:00 – 6:30 pm)
- Online (on Zoom)
Additional:
- 2 classes (4 hours each) will be held at the students’ internship site (exact days and times may vary – possibly held during spring break)
Summer (June – July)
- Students complete their 40 hour internship
Class Locations
Project Hōkūlani Satellite Campuses:
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu (Online)
- Brigham Young University – Hawaiʻi (Online)
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Molokaʻi Education Center
- Hawaiʻi Community College – (Hilo)
- Hawaiʻi Community College – (Kailua-Kona)
- Kauaʻi Community College
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College-Lānaʻi Education Center
Student Eligibility
Requirements
- Attending any public, private or charter high school on Oʻahu, Molokaiʻi, Lanaʻi, Kauaʻi or Hawaiʻi islands
- Grade 9-12 this Fall (during the 2023-2024 school year)
- Preference given to students with Native Hawaiian ancestry, but all high school students are welcome to apply.
Other Requirements
- Students must be able to attend Saturday morning classes either at a satellite campus, internship worksite, or online
- Complete the 40-hour paid internship during the summer. (To learn more about the internships offered on your island, CLICK HERE)
- Participate in the data collection to help evaluate our Hōkūlani program for 2 school years (More information about our research data will be provided in a consent form, if accepted into Project Hōkūlani).
Application Process
STEP 1: Review the information on this page.
STEP 2: Submit the Project Hōkūlani application form by Friday July 14, 2023.
- Option 1: You can complete the online application (via Google Form) HERE (English version) or HERE (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi version)
- Option 2: Download a PDF of the application HERE (English version) or HERE (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi version) and email it to: projecth@hawaii.edu
- Option 3: Print the PDF and mail your completed application to:
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Attn: Project Hōkūlani/Jerrik Feliciano
1410 Lower Campus Rd. 171F
Honolulu, HI 96822
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- Applications must be received by: July 14, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Hawaii Standard Time). If you need a deadline extension, please contact projecth@hawaii.edu.
STEP 3: Ask an adult (such as teacher, counselor, school administrator, sports coach or religious mentor) to complete our recommendation form. Please start asking an adult as soon as you decide to apply for Project Hōkūlani so that this adult can submit the recommendation form by July 14, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Hawaii Standard Time). For more instructions, click or download below.
Option A: Online
Option B: Download
STEP 5: You may be contacted to participate in an online interview in July, 2023. In this interview, we will ask you more questions to get to know you better. We may also ask you to tell or show us how you would tackle/solve some real-world problems. If you are asked to come for an interview, you will be sent instructions on how to login and more information.
Step 6: We will inform you of your acceptance into Project Hōkūlani by July, 2023. Please note that our application timeline is subject to change.