Hāna Students Earn Top Honors for Pono Campaign

Ninth grade students at Hāna High & Elementary School on Maui tied for first place in the high school division of the 10th Annual E Ola Pono Campaign, a statewide initiative that encourages youth groups to promote peace, pono and respect at their schools and communities through student–led programs and activities.

Hāna 9th graders chose the topic of Environmental Sustainability because Hawaiians knew that when you take care of the land and its’ natural resources, the land will take care of the people.

The Hāna students produced a video on environmental sustainability that focused on educating the younger generation by passing down teachings of their kupuna.

High school Social Studies teacher and campaign advisor, Angela Chronis said, “Both keiki and kupuna were excited to help take part in our campaign. After participating in the Pono Campaign, students have a greater understanding and appreciation of the many steps it takes in order to launch a campaign.”

Chronis explained that students chose the topic of Environmental Sustainability, “because Hawaiians knew that when you take care of the land and its’ natural resources, the land will take care of the people.”

The Hāna students tied with Farrington High for first place in the high school division.  Farrington students conducted a Friends Program focused on the national #bethechange initiative in which they promoted a sense of belonging to create unity among the school’s student body of 2,600 individuals.

The 2017 E Ola Pono Campaign was held during the first three quarters of the school year, from August 2016 to March 3, 2017.  A total of Six schools in three divisions will be receiving recognition and monetary awards for their winning student-led campaigns.

First place winners will be awarded $1,000 and second place will receive $500 for their campaign efforts. A US Department of Education, Native Hawaiian Education grant funds the administration of the yearly campaign. The monetary awards for winning campaigns are sponsored by the Johnson ʻOhana Charitable Foundation, founded by Kim and Jack Johnson to support environmental, art and music education.

Top finishers included:

Elementary Division:

1st Place: Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School, Mountain View, Hawaiʻi Island: Harvest Day, Grow Food
2nd Place: Ali‘iolani Elementary School, O‘ahu: Kindness Recognition Campaign

Middle / Intermediate Division:

1st Place: Ewa Makai Middle School: Spreading Pono Through Aloha
2nd Place: Kailua Intermediate: Preserving the Hamakua Marsh

High School Division: 1st Place Tie

1st Place Tie: Farrington High: Friends Program
1st Place Tie: Hāna High & Elementary School – Maui: Environmental Sustainability