Join Us - Call today 1-800-498-4979 or email: contact@ahapunanaleo.org
“Pūnana Leo is a fun and loving place to grow as an ʻohana. The foundation of Hawaiian language, culture and Hawaiian values have made my children secure in their identity, respectful, and caring about their community. Pūnana Leo prepared them academically as well, they can read and write and are very prepared for kindergarten. I would recommend Pūnana Leo to anyone.” Punana Leo o Hilo Parent
The Honuakai Hawaiian Voyaging Science program fosters Hawaiian language and culture through hands on experiences in coastal to deep sea environments. This family-based program teaches land and ocean stewardship, wayfinding, seamanship and navigation by utilizing the deep sea voyaging canoe Hōkūalakaʻi and the coastal training double-hull canoes Keaʻeloa and Maiau.
Niuolahiki is named for a legendary coconut tree who transports his grandchild from Hawai‘i to a distant land far across the ocean. Likewise, the Niuolahiki Distance Learning Program extends its culturally-rooted Hawaiian language program throughout the world. Coursework for the program is based on the newly revised version of the textbook, Nā Kai ‘Ewalu, written by Dr. Kauanoe Kamanā and Dr. William H. “Pila” Wilson available exclusively for a limited time to our self-directed online learners.
ʻĀhaʻi ʻŌlelo Ola is a half-hour news magazine show with anchor Amy Kalili that covers issues of importance to Native Hawaiians and all of Hawaiʻi, presented in the Hawaiian language with English subtitles. Catch the show Saturdays on KGMB, on demand on ʻŌiwi TV - Oceanic Digital 326, and online at http://www.oiwi.tv/.
Hi‘i Pēpē is an infant and toddler program that aims to support families who are committed to making Hawaiian the primary language of their homes. Adjacent to the Pūnana Leo o Hilo, Hiʻi Pēpē provides care and education to an average of 16 infants and toddlers throughout the 11 month school year. The application and enrollment for Hiʻi Pēpē begins each November for the following year. At this time, this program is only offered at Pūnana Leo o Hilo. For more information, contact Pualani Kahoʻohanohano at (808) 935-4304.
The ‘Aha Pūnana Leo is the nationally recognized model for Native American language revitalization programs in the United States. After working to remove the ban on the use of Hawaiian in Hawai‘i’s school system, ‘Aha Pūnana Leo joined with Native Americans to convince the U.S. Congress to restore Native American languages to Native American communities. Since the passage of the Native American Languages Act in 1990, efforts have increased throughout the United States to save the some 200 remaining Native American languages from extinction.
‘Aha Pūnana Leo
96 Pu‘uhonu Place
Hilo, HI 96720
