ABOUT US

Project Hoʻokuʻi helps high school freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors to meet the academic qualifications to participate and succeed in the Running Start, Jump Start, Early Admission, and Manoa Academy programs. Running Start, Jump Start, Early Admission, and Manoa Academy are statewide partnerships between the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE), and the University of Hawaiʻi System that provides an opportunity for academically qualified high school students to begin their post-secondary education while still in high school. 

Project Hoʻokuʻi provides support services to ensure project participants will have the tools necessary to be successful on their journey. We provide financial aid, mentoring, tutoring, and competitive internship programs through the project.

Our philosophy is “we take the student where they are at” and prepare students, who are in high school and not quite ready, to attend college. Other high school students may be ready to take a college class but not have the financial means to pay for the tuition and textbook.

Project Hoʻokuʻi provides financial support for those who have the ability to successfully complete a college class. We work with the students to improve their academic skills, abilities, discover career paths, and help build their confidence. When the individual student participant is ready to engage in a college course, we support the student through the process. 

One of our goals is to create college-bound communities, while simultaneously honoring the culture and traditions of this ʻaina. We do this through place-based and culture-based learning, involving the ‘ohana, and the wisdom of the kupuna. The project is closely aligned with Na Hopena Aʻo – HĀ, to malama the entire student.

PROJECT TEAM

Lisa Uyehara
Lisa Uyehara, J.D.
Principal Investigator (PI) & Director
(808) 956-5680
uyeharal@hawaii.edu
Kiriko Takahashi
Kiriko Takahashi, Ph.D.

Co-PI
(808) 956-4457
kiriko@hawaii.edu

Kealii Kukahiko
Kealiʻi Troy Kukahiko, Ph.D

Evaluator

Caryl Hitchcock
Caryl Hitchcock, Ph.D.

Site Coordinator, Molokaʻi, Maui, Lanaʻi 
chh@hawaii.edu

ʻIwalani McCalla
ʻIwalani McCalla, B.A.

Site Coordinator, Molokaʻi, Maui, Lanaʻi 
chh@hawaii.edu

PROJECT PARTNERS

Jon Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, Ph.D.

Dean of Hawaiʻinuiākea School
of Hawaiian Knowledge, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Visit website

Native Hawaiian Student Services Logo
Willy Kauai, Ph.D.

Director of Native Hawaiian Student Services (NHSS), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

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Hawaii Department of Education Logo
Department of Education (HIDOE) Schools

State of Hawaiʻi
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PROJECT RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

ALL STUDENT PARTICIPANTS

STUDENT PARTICIPANTS INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN INTERN OR UHM HOʻOKUʻI SCHOLAR

STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
SELECTED AS INTERN

INTERNSHIP

 

SCHOLARSHIP

 

REPLICATION MANUAL

PROJECT HOʻOKUʻI REPLICATION MANUAL

The objective of this replication manual is to provide potential schools and communities across Hawaiʻi with a structured framework to implement Project Hoʻokuʻi IV: ʻOhana Lōkahi. Implementing this framework aims to ensure that Native Hawaiian communities, students with disabilities, and at-risk high school students and their families receive the academic, cultural, and mentorship support needed for postsecondary success. By providing detailed information on the project’s background, model and its key components, this manual serves as a comprehensive roadmap for creating a holistic and sustainable evidence-based intervention framework. As the fourth iteration, Project Hoʻokuʻi IV integrates the key element of ʻohana into its original model, further advancing its broader goal of empowering students and their families with the confidence, skills, and resources needed to navigate higher education successfully.

MENTOR MANUAL

PROJECT HOʻOKUʻI MENTOR MANUAL

This manual describes the timeline, materials, process and technology needed to implement a similar program, namely, to prepare students and their ‘ohana for college success. Student participants qualify for financial aid for early college classes, preparation for college success, and academic skill building through mentoring and tutoring using strength-based, place-based and cultural-based activities. ‘Ohana participants receive online training on family engagement, nutrition, well-being and how to support their high school student though the transition from high school to college. In addition, a Native Hawaiian culture focus engages student participants and their ‘ohana. Each month, there is a new theme and focus. The format of the monthly module includes five categories: (1) academic conversations (2) family engagement, (3) Native Hawaiian culture, (4) nutrition, and (5) well-being.

HAUMANA NEWS

IN THIS ISSUE:

A.A. Degree Holders

Our Graduating Seniors

Dr. Makahiapo Cashman Defends Dissertation

Ahapuaʻa O Anahola

IN THIS ISSUE:

Welcoming Our New Hoʻokuʻi Team Members!

Unsung Hero: Regan Honda

The Journey Begins: UHM, UHH, UH CTE Scholars

Project Hoʻokuʻi Announcements

IN THIS ISSUE:

Hoʻokuʻi Scholarships

New 2025-2026 Scholars Throughout UH System

Big Plans for 2 Kapaʻa High School Graduates

Hoʻokuʻi 2025 High School Graduates Set New Record for Holding A.A. Degrees

Spotlight: Mikkel Bekkum

Announcements, Events, and Updates

IN THIS ISSUE:

Apply For A Post High School Hoʻokuʻi Scholarship

Meet The 2024-2025 UHM Scholars

Meet UHM Freshman and Scholar: Zoe Smith

IN THIS ISSUE:

UH Mānoa Scholar News

School Reports

NEW! Ho‘oku‘i VI Scholarships

UHMC 2024 Commencement,Molokai

IN THIS ISSUE:

2024 Pac Rim Presentation

Kapa‘a Nahaumana Visit UHM Campus

Molokai High School Nursing Cohort