2015-09-17 Leeward Exh B (SMA 15-060)

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is our kids. So with all that in mind, I want to thank you in advance for your support and turn it over to my colleague, Jamee, who is – introduce yourself? Yeah, okay. MILLER: Mahalo, Kā‘eo. Aloha, Chair and Commissioners and Director Kanuha. Mahalo for this time. Again my name is Jamee Miller and I’m the Interim Senior Director and the Director of Education for Kamehameha Schools in West Hawai‘i. So we appreciate the work that you do as a commission to direct and advise proper uses of land here on Hawai‘i Island, and feel that the Kahalu‘u Ma Kai project represents a seminal moment in terms of embracing and celebrating the best use of our lands. Kamehameha Schools’ hope is to be able to continue to restore, learn and share these resources with our lāhui for the betterment of education, culture and wellbeing of all of Hawai‘i’s people. We are ecstatic about this project because Kahalu‘u Ma Kai envalues a fundamental shift by Kamehameha Schools towards significant pedagogy and experiential learning spaces that will once again bring relevancy to the rich cultural traditions, history and practices via culture-based education between Hawai‘i’s people and the natural environment. As far back as 1400’s Kahalu‘u Ma Kai was a place of influence and known as the education piko for the ali‘i, future ali‘i and kāhuna across the pae ‘āina as evidenced by the different heiau and cultural sites we have been restoring and stewarding. Keauhou, its influence, neighbor and the birthplace of Kauikeaouli, or Kamehameha III, who declared during his throne, “Chiefs and people give ear to my remarks. My Kingdom shall be a Kingdom of learning.” By the end of his 30-year reign, the creation of 423 schools allowed over 10,000 students to be educated and the first teachers training program existed in Hawai‘i. Now, we look at this current slide, and it is a state of native Hawaiian education in West Hawai‘i. And what it depicts here, it shows that for us in early education enrollment for West Hawai‘i is higher as a percentage than statewide average while each of the other student academic milestones require attention. West Hawai‘i students fall far below the state average in post-secondary training and education. The next slide shows you, and there is a handout because you can’t really see the slide that we have for you, and what that shows there is that we already, Kamehameha Schools serves a diverse range of learners and learning communities from West Hawai‘i across the island, the state and the oceans. So you notice in the boxes that are highlighted in blue; they identify the learners that we currently, that currently use our Kahalu‘u Ma Kai program, such as the students here with us today, while other strategies, including this project, will expand the breadth and depth of Kamehameha Schools impact to other learners and systems in the lighter boxes. So we have a lot of work to do. These are just a few reasons we find especially important to complete the Kahalu‘u Ma Kai project in restoring a place of learning for our people. So much so that the West Hawai‘i region has a five-year plan with ambitious goals and outcomes that, if accomplished, will undoubtedly elevate our community. The Kahalu‘u Ma Kai project will guide the action that honors our Hawaiian values and st identity, with clear aspirations for 21 Century excellence in learning, teaching, asset management and professional development. Kahalu‘u Ma Kai is also envisioned as a venue for gathering partners and collaborators, other learning and teaching organizations from this community and elsewhere, to take advantage of as broad range of perspectives and experiences as possible for the benefit of all learners. 25 EXHIBIT B