WELCOME TO KAUHALE
We are the on-campus program at Kanu o ka ʻĀina who serves students K-12 at our Kauhale ʻŌiwi o Puʻukapu campus in Waimea, Hawaiʻi. We are deeply committed to perpetuating Hawaiʻi’s native culture, language and traditions in our school, our staff, our students, and their 'ohana.
Kanu’s inclusive pedagogy blends cultural values and ideals with academic rigor, ‘āina-based learning, and innovative technology to develop connection, relevance and meaning with our haumāna of all ethnic backgrounds. The K-12 curriculum is designed to allow haumāna to explore, make discoveries, and see connections between ideas. Haumāna are also taught to investigate, evaluate, and draw conclusions about nature in order to make sense of the physical world they live in.
ʻĀina-Based Learning
Inquiry or project-based learning is the preferred instructional strategy because it provides an effective, authentic way for our kumu to simultaneously address nature, place, curricular integration, relationships, relevance, rigor and habits of mind.
Educational Framework
Curriculum centers on specific themes and essential questions integrating academic subjects, instructional practice and strategies. As well as multiple forms of assessment, while aligning curriculum to common core and state standards, technology standards, and cultural benchmarks.
Community Involvement
The community and surrounding environment become living learning laboratories where our haumāna and community work together to create a future that is pono.
Kanoa Castro
Kauhele Upper School (6-12) Poʻokumu
Po'okumu Mana'o
Kanu remains focused on promoting the well-being of its students, community and ‘āina. Active learning with an emphasis on culture prepares our students to be ready for college, careers, and community involvement. We are committed to the continuance of Native Hawaiian focused curriculum while delivering high quality education in new and diverse ways. The faculty and staff members are devoted to providing a nurturing learning environment that challenges the haumāna to thrive academically, culturally, and socially.
Keōmailani Case
Kauhale Elementary School (K-5) Poʻokumu
Limitless learning and opportunities
As a community-based learning ʻohana, Kanu is steadfast in cultivating compassionate,
empowered, highly competent learners of all ages, grounded in Native Hawaiian culture and
language.
Native Trees Planted by Kanu o ka ʻĀina in 2024
Wiliwili
Koa
Māmane
ʻAʻaliʻi
Kukui
