ʻEleu is a consortium of Hawaiian nonprofit organizations geared and dedicated to the inclusion and promotion of early childhood education. For over 15 years, we have worked to advocate for legislative and community initiatives to impact early learning for the keiki of Hawaiʻi nei.

This year’s ʻEleu Rally included readings from several legislators such as Representative Val Okimoto and Senator Michelle Kidani. Others in the capitol also came down or opened their offices to interact with the families and children, and learn more about the urgent need for improved and universal early childhood education.

“We must challenge ourselves and our leaders to take seriously the need for public and personal attention to – as well as investment in the formation and care of our children,” said PIDF president Jan Dill.

Mahalo to all the staff for their hard work in putting on the rally, the families for their dedication to their keiki and our programs, and to all those who came out today in support!

‘Eleu is a collective of five early childhood education agencies: ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, ALU LIKE, Inc., Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE), Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Centers (KOKA), and PIDF. ‘Eleu believes by advocating together with one voice, they can ensure that the children and communities of Hawaiʻi will continue to flourish. 

This year’s theme was Ku and Kuʻe Resistence and Resilience, with a focus on historical trauma as it relates to recent events affecting our Native Hawaiian community. There was a presentation on Kapu Aloha by Manu Kaiama, and a talk by Pono Shim called “E ʻOhana Hou,” in which he discussed the deeper meaning of ʻohana. 

Mahalo to our partner organizations and staff for their diligent work to put on the 2019 ʻEleu Conference!

Partners in Development Foundation (PIDF), Keiki O Ka ʻAina (KOKA), and the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE), members of the ʻEleu hui, brought together their staff, program caregivers and keiki, and members of the community to rally for Family Child Interaction Learning (FCIL).

A Yearly Gathering

Founded over 15 years ago to support Native Hawaiian early learning and strengthening families, ʻEleu is a collective of five early childhood education agencies: ʻAha Pūnana Leo, ALU LIKE, Inc., INPEACE, KOKA Family Learning Centers, and PIDF.

The annual event saw hundreds of adults and keiki fill the capitol’s ground floor rotunda. The groups organized games, educational activities, and short speeches by local leaders like PIDF’s president and founder, Jan E. Hanohano Dill.

“Challenge our policy makers today to show them that this is a community committed to the success of our children,” said Dill. “Our children will define what Hawaiʻi is 20 to 30 years from now.”

Participants had the opportunity to go door-to-door around the state government offices to greet their representatives, and present them with a simple gift of a Native Hawaiian plant and card meant to be both tokens of appreciation, and reminders of the important work being done within and outside of the House and Senate chambers.

While visiting with the legislators, staff and families talked about early and family education, and told stories of what these programs meant to themselves and their communities. The passion and commitment to Hawaiʻi’s keiki was evident, and left capitol representatives and staff with three important words: “Pehea nā keiki?” (How are the children?)

Statewide recognition of early learning’s importance

Recently, the Executive Office of Early Learning (EOEL) created a five-year (2019-2024) plan to address the high-priority needs of early childhood education in Hawaiʻi.

The plan addresses our shared priorities and drives the need for educational groups to collaborate with one another and leverage resources to improve the lives of our keiki and their families.

Provided with high-quality early learning programs, keiki are “more likely to succeed in kindergarten and beyond, and more likely to grow into healthy, capable, and contributing adults,” according to the EOEL website.

While traditionally pre-k education has been considered arbitrary preparation for kindergarten, current data shows that education prior to kindergarten impacts a child throughout their school career — everything from vocabulary skills to high school completion.

During his State of the State address on January 22, Hawai’i Governor David Ige announced that one of his main priorities for his second term is to create a universal, statewide high-quality public preschool system “that will give every child in Hawaiʻi a head start on learning.”

The initiative particularly targets outer islands, where affordable quality education is not as available to families and where early education efforts are most needed.

“Of all the initiatives upon which we’ve embarked,” Ige announced, “I believe this one will make the greatest difference in preparing our children for the future and in creating a 21st century workforce.”

Mahalo nui again to our ʻEleu partners, our staff, our program ʻohana, and all those who made the 2019 ʻEleu Rally for Early Education a success!

Each organization conducted various breakout sessions that demonstrated their individual manaʻo (thoughts) and ʻike (knowledge) regarding various topics like cultural practices, advocacy, language and literacy, and STEAM. Although these organizations compete on many levels for funding, resources, and space, together they have a stronger unifying purpose: to serve Hawaiʻi’s keiki and families and prepare them for success.

In between the small roundtable sessions, PIDF’s own Danny Goya and Alex Santiago gave keynote addresses. Danny discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how ACEs affect brain development, health and wellness for the communities we serve, and how family engagement and culture are the keys to addressing this issue. Alex reviewed advocacy skills covered in the last consortium conference, and explained how legislative efforts are so vital in advocating for our keiki. He gave examples on how to engage caregivers and how to encourage them to become lifelong advocates.

A special mahalo to W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their support in making this conference possible!

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The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) was founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer. Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive. WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work, and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success.

Nā Pono No Nā ʻOhana Outreach Coordinator, Laʻanui Johnston, found much ʻike she could bring back to her teammates to implement with families. One session in particular was the Early Childhood Education Activities around Ahupuaʻa, presented by the Hilo Keiki Steps Staff. The workshop effectively shows sustainability by using supplies gathered from the land and sea. “In this modern time, we can use what we have available in our environment -bringing the past into our present- and using what we learn to sustain our families and communities toward the future,” says La‘anui.

Ka Paʻalana Program Manager, Jin Chang, felt that the conference was worth the hardwork put into coordinating, planning, and last minute changes. “The conference was more than a day organized into one-hour sessions; it was a picture of the work that we are doing together so that our children, our families, and our communities will have a chance to thrive,” says Jin.

A special mahalo to W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their support!

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer. Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive. WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work, and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success.