H.A.K.O.: He Ala Ku Ola (A Journey of Life)

Aha Kane: Foundation for Advancement of Native Hawaiian Males will improve the spoken language proficiency of Native Hawaiian youth by offering an immersion cultural class about the practice of ho’oponopono, a practice that relies heavily on language. Only 9.1% (17 of 186) of the Hawaiian cultural classes currently available to youth in Hawaii are exclusively taught in the Hawaiian language. By offering immersion cultural classes intertwined with a traditional healing practice, Native Hawaiian youth will have an added opportunity to improve their spoken Hawaiian language proficiency. Aha Kane aims to specifically target 50 Native Hawaiians that are between the ages of 13 and 25, either enrolled in or alumni of Hawaiian immersion schools. Classes will be hybrid (in-person and Zoom) so that enrolled youth from across the state can participate. Ultimately, the project will foster and encourage Native Hawaiian youth to speak, think, and act in the way of their ancestors and to keep their Hawaiian culture alive and with them.