ʻOihana Hoʻonaʻauao o ka Mokuʻāina ʻo Hawaiʻi

Ka ʻOihana Hoʻonaʻauao o ke Aupuni Hawaiʻi

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, Molokai High first schools in the country to earn national designations for academy programs

Group photo

Nine Hawai‘i public schools were recognized for their outstanding career academy programs at last week’s 30th annual National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) conference in Orlando, Fla. including two small, rural Hawai‘i schools that achieved historic national firsts.

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary (KHPES) became the first K-12 Model Academy with Distinction in the country, with a comprehensive academy program structure that spans throughout elementary, middle and high school levels. KHPES offers five different K-12 academy pathways: 

  • Cultural Arts, Media and Entertainment
  • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation
  • Nā lawelawe ola kino
  • Hoʻonaʻauao

At KHPES, students in grades K–6 focus on career exposure, grades 7–8 engage in career exploration and grades 9–12 participate in hands-on career experiences.

ʻO Hina i Ka Malama, the Hawaiian Language Immersion Academy at Molokai High School became the first Hawaiian immersion academy in the country and earned the Model Academy with Distinction certification.

ʻO Hina i Ka Malama students function as cultural practitioners who fulfill vital roles in island leadership, environmental stewardship and the preservation of the Hawaiian Language on Molokai, empowering them to become responsible and conscientious community members. Students also participate in field studies across diverse ecosystems on Molokai, spanning from mauka to makai, to document essential flora, fauna, and natural and cultural resources. In 2025, the program expanded to serve as a satellite program for Molokai Middle School students in grades 7–8.

“Having ʻO Hina i ka Malama nationally recognized as a Model Academy with Distinction is both a profound honor and a validation of the high-caliber education provided to our students,” Molokai High School Principal Katina Soares said. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our educators — most notably Kumu Mahina Hou Ross, whose leadership has anchored the program since its inception over 25 years ago.”

“We are proud to highlight groundbreaking milestones in our career academy network. Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary has officially achieved distinction as the first K-12 Model Academy with Distinction spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels—a testament to seamless, lifelong career-connected learning,” said Jay Steele, National Career Academy Coalition president. “We also proudly recognized Molokai High School as the first Hawaiian Immersion Academy in the country, blending rigorous academic standards with deep cultural roots and community identity.”

Molokai High School staff at the National Career Academy Coalition conference. Photo courtesy: National Career Academy Coalition

The NCAC recognizes high school career academies that show exemplary performance in the National Standard of Practice (NSOP) through a review and accreditation process. Academies can earn a rating of: model with distinction, model, certified or in progress. To reach the model with distinction level – the highest level of recognition – a school’s career academy must meet or exceed proficiency in all 10 NSOP criteria.

The annual NCAC conference brings together educators, industry leaders, and community partners from across the country who are shaping the future of student success.

This year, the following schools received model academy honors from the NCAC:

2026 NCAC Model Academies with Distinction:

  • Highlands Intermediate School (Pre-Academies)
  • Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary School (Academies of Kaʻū)
  • Kailua High School (Ready to SURF Academy)
  • Molokai High School (‘O Hina i Ka Malama)
  • Waikele Elementary School (Waikele Academy Pathway Program)
  • Waipahu Intermediate School (Pre-Academies)

2026 NCAC Model Academies:

  • ‘Aiea High School (Academy of Innovation)
  • ‘Aiea High School (Academy of Aspiring Professionals)
  • Kapolei High School (Arts & Communications Academy)
  • Kapolei High School (Law & Public Safety Academy)
  • Kapolei High School (Academy of Innovation, Business & Technology)
  • Molokai High School (Academy of Community Service, and Sustainability)

“This achievement is proof that when a rural school thinks outside the box, no barrier is too great,” said Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary’s Academy Director, CTE Coordinator and Instructional Coach Dexsilyn Navarro. “By inviting our community, staff, alumni, parents and students to walk alongside us, we are creating rigorous, meaningful learning experiences that prove our students can access the exact same opportunities as anyone else—and dream bigger for their futures.”

Navarro was also recognized at the conference as the recipient of the NCAC John Thompson Exemplary Educator Award. Navarro is also a graduate of the school and returned as a teacher in 2003.