The goal of Nä Pua No‘eau is to raise the educational and career aspirations of Hawaiian students and their families. The Pathways program is designed to provide a continuum of programs that serve as a pathway to higher education. The programs are designed to: promote access to educational opportunities, provide educational and career experiences in a variety of science professions, strengthen students' connection to their Hawaiian culture, and aspire students to higher educational and career goals.
Students of Hawaiian ancestry currently in grade 8 can apply to participate in the Pathways project.
The Nä Pua No'eau Pathways program begins with a two-week "theme-based" summer institute, which offers students a variety of intense educational and fun learning experiences. The 2008 Nä Pua No'eau Pathways Summer Institute will be held at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo from June 16th to the 28th of 2008. Upon completing the summer institute component of the program, students will enter into a mentorship component of the program.
Following the Pathways summer institute, students will begin their mentor research project. Students will be guided by a faculty or professional mentor throughout the year, which will conclude with public presentations of their research project. Activities may include two to three weekends of field work and one day meetings on a university campus for lab or computer work.
Yes. Nä Pua No'eau Pathways is a three year program. We are asking all selected students to commit their participation in the program to the entire three years.
The involvement of parents and/or guardians begins with an Orientation session on their home island. Throughout the year, parents and/or guardians are invited to attend the students' public presentations and field research excursions, assist with collecting resources for research activities and preparation of final project, and identifying family genealogy.
There is no tuition fee to participate in this program. Summer program interisland transportation and housing will be provided to neighbor island participants. A T-shirt fee of $15.00 and a $50.00 refundable dorm and travel deposit will be assessed upon acceptance and due with participation packet.
Complete and submit the 2008 Pathways Application Form by January 20, 2008.
Visit or contact a Nä Pua No'eau site nearest you or complete the 2008 Pathways Facts Sheet and mail or fax to Nä Pua No'eau site. Download 2008 Pathways Application.pdf here.
Your application will be reviewed by a 3-member committee who will recommend students for participation. Your answers allow us to know you. What you tell us will be taken to heart. You are telling us about what you are interested in and can do well. Every student applying will be doing the same. Students who seem to be most interested, clear about their reasons for participating, are ready to learn, and sincere about participating will be invited to attend.
The plan is to select fifty students each year at the beginning of each summer. There will be a total of three groups, so by Year Three, group 1 will be in its third year, group 2 in its second, and group 3 in its first. Future Pathways programming will be incorporated into the ongoing costs of Nä Pua No'eau programs.
You will be notified of your status the week of: February 22, 2008.
Note: If you do not receive either your letter of status or packet by February 25, 2008, please contact a Nä Pua No'eau office.
You will receive either a letter of status or the Participation Packet to attend via the US postal mail. Participation Packet will include a list of items to bring, time schedules, locations, rules and medical information. Packet must be completed and returned by April 7, 2008.
Note: Failure to return Participation Packet will result in the offering of your class slot to an alternate student.