ʻOnipaʻa is a summer bridge program that sets out to guide newly graduated seniors from Waiʻanae and Nānākuli as they make the transition into their post-high journeys.
The program is the result of collective efforts by the University of Hawaiʻi System, Gear Up Hawaiʻi, TRiO and Kamehameha Schools’ Ka Pua Initiative.
The overarching goal of ʻOnipaʻa is to increase the number of Waiʻanae Coast students who enroll in college the fall semester after high school graduation. The aim is to nurture a student mindset of resilience, determination and connection for post-high success.
This year’s ʻOnipaʻa kicked off on Monday, June 2 at Pōkaʻi Bay with 40 students. The opening ceremony, “Bowl of Perfect Light,” helped to ground students in their identity and sense of place and inspired them to utilize the program assets to be successful in their post-high journey.
This ceremony conveyed to students that they have it within themselves to control their destiny and that they are always free to choose. They can choose to fill their lives with light (the positives) or with stones (the negatives). Students were gifted ʻumeke that represent them and reflected on the kinds of stones that life, others, and even themselves, might cast to dim the light within their ʻumeke.
Students were led in a procession towards Kūʻīlioloa Heiau, a navigational heiau located at Kāne‘ilio Point at Pōka‘ī Bay. At this wahi pana (storied place), students recognized how their ancestors and modern day Hawaiians function as master navigators and connected these skills, knowledge and practice to effectively navigating their own post-high pathway.
Master Navigator Mau Pialug said, “The only reason we voyage is to bring back gifts to the communities we serve.” Students pondered this mana‘o and reflected on the gifts they will bring back to their communities of Waiʻanae and Nānākuli to ensure that future generations will be successful.
This activity set the tone for this first phase of the three-phase ʻOnipaʻa program. Students earned one college credit for the completion of Student Development (SD) 100, a week-long college course offered by the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu (UHWO) in which students engage in a variety of educational activities on the campuses of Leeward Community College -Waiʻanae and Pearl City, and UHWO.
Students also participated in cultural huaka‘i throughout wahi pana along the Wai‘anae Coast. The first phase culminated with an overnighter at UH Mānoa and a showcase of career pathway presentations by students based on what they learned throughout the week.
In phase two, students will participate in a job readiness program then be placed in employment sites in the community. During the student employment phase, participants can earn stipends of up to $1,320 by working 20 hours a week for six weeks, earning $11 an hour.
Phase three gives students an opportunity to earn a second college credit by completing SD 101, a one-week summer bridge class taught by UHWO professors.
The ‘Onipa‘a program also makes sure that follow-up services and support will be provided to this cohort throughout the school year so that all participants complete their first year of college successfully and persist to their second year.
In a time where there may be a bit of doubt and a little uncertainty in what is to come, haumāna need only remember the programs theme, to “Keep Calm and ʻOnipaʻa.”
Mahalo to Ka Pua Initiative – Kui Lei team Project Analyst Jen Crawford for contributing this article about the ‘Onipa‘a summer bridge program.
‘Onipa‘a partners Joe Mareko of UHWO, Jen Crawford and Andrea Dias of KS' Ka Pua Initiative, Amber Caracol of the METS Program, and Sheryl Higa of LCC showcase an ʻumeke (bowl) that was given to each student.
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