Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ) is a Department-wide framework to develop the skills, behaviors and dispositions that are reminiscent of Hawaiʻi’s unique context, and to honor the qualities and values of the indigenous language and culture of Hawaiʻi.

Background

In 2013 former Board of Education member Cheryl Lupenui gathered various community and HIDOE representatives to participate in an audit and redraft of BOE Policy 4000, General Learner Outcomes. As a result of the process, recommendations were made to leave Policy 4000 intact, and instead create a new kind of policy. This new policy, E-3 (which stands for Ends Policy 3), would provide a framework for the Department to develop in its employees and students the skills, behaviors and dispositions that are reminiscent of Hawaiʻi’s unique context and to honor the qualities and values of the indigenous language and culture of Hawaiʻi. In June 2015 the policy was approved by the BOE.

Policy E-3: Nā Hopena A‘o (HĀ)​

Nā Hopena A‘o (“HĀ”) is a framework of outcomes that reflects the Department of Education’s core values and beliefs in action throughout the public educational system of Hawai‘i. The Department of Education works together as a system that includes everyone in the broader community to develop the competencies that strengthen a sense of belonging, responsibility, excellence, aloha, total-well-being and Hawai‘i (“BREATH”) in ourselves, students and others. With a foundation in Hawaiian values, language, culture and history, HĀ reflects the uniqueness of Hawai‘i and is meaningful in all places of learning. HĀ supports a holistic learning process with universal appeal and application to guide learners and leaders in the entire school community.

The following guiding principles should lead all efforts to use HĀ as a comprehensive outcomes framework:

• All six outcomes are interdependent and should not be used separately.
• Support systems and appropriate resources should be in place for successful and thoughtful implementation.
• Planning and preparation should be inclusive, collective and in a timeframe that is sensitive to the needs of schools and their communities.
• Current examples of HĀ in practice can be drawn on as sources for expertise.
• All members of the school community share in the leadership of HĀ.

Rationale:

The purpose of this policy is to provide a comprehensive outcomes framework to be used by those who are developing the academic achievement, character, physical and social-emotional well-being of all our students to the fullest potential.

The HĀ philosophy

HĀ’s six outcomes contain values that are universal to all cultures. Educating students in an environment of HĀ will add value to and strengthen each and every person who engages over the course of a learning journey. Department faculty and staff should also be models of behaviors that direct students to what these outcomes might look like in practice. Those who are moved by the goals and intentions of HĀ are encouraged to use it in their everyday practice. The Office of Hawaiian Education welcomes any moʻolelo (stories) of best practices and successes that you would like to share.

Key resources

• Nā Hopena A‘o (“HĀ”)​ Handout (PDF)
  Six outcomes to be strengthened in every student over the course of their K-12 learning journey.
• HĀ ​Assessment for Learning Project (PDF)
  A two-year pilot to develop a culturally responsive assessment framework for HĀ​ outcomes.​
• Request Nā Hopena A‘o Support (Google Doc)
  Please complete this form ​to request HĀ support and/or resources including presentations, facilitation, and HĀ handouts and posters.
• HĀ Terms (PDF)
  This document provides an overview and description of various HĀ terms.