Hawaiian Electric donates $15,500 to Ke Kula O Piilani to strengthen integrated culture-based STEM curriculum
Release Date: 12/15/2022
KAHULUI, Dec. 15, 2022 – Hawaiian Electric recently donated $15,500 to Ke Kula O Piilani to support the school’s innovative program that integrates modern science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with traditional Hawaiian knowledge and aina-based learning.
Founded in 2016, Ke Kula O Piilani is an independent nonprofit Hawaiian immersion elementary school located in Iao Valley. The donation will go towards the school’s Na Imi Naauao: Seekers of Wisdom program to support an instructor position to design and facilitate additional culture-based STEM lessons and resources. Purchase of microscope kits, science lab equipment, and aquaponic, terrarium and aquarium systems will also be made with the funds.
“Mahalo to Hawaiian Electric for supporting our vision to increase integrated STEM learning hours to at least 8 hours per week per grade level, in a variety of outdoor learning environments, and in a newly-outfitted science lab,” said Kekai Robinson, Pookula of Ke Kula O Piilani. “Enhancing our culture-based STEM activities can inspire our community of learners to understand STEM concepts in the context of their lives and visualize themselves in future STEM-based careers.”
The school’s overall curriculum for kindergarten to fifth grade weaves Hawaiian culture and language into every facet of the school to simultaneously honor ancient knowledge and tradition while preparing students to become the leaders of the next generation.
