Pūnana Leo o Maui Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Pūnana Leo o Maui Celebrates 30^th Anniversary

On Friday, November 10th, the Hawaiian immersion preschool, Pūnana Leo o Maui, will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Current and past Pūnana Leo o Maui students, alumni, parents, teachers and Hui Kīpaepae students are invited to attend. The celebration will take place at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and guests are encouraged to RSVP at www.naleopulama.com.

The event will feature Hawaiian entertainment by Hālau Nāwaipunahele, Nā Wai ‘Ehā and Nāpua. A general program and displays will honor Pūnana Leo o Maui’s history and its accomplishments in perpetuating the Hawaiian language amongst Maui’s preschoolers, their families and the general community for the past three decades. A short film showcasing a brief documentary and Pūnana Leo o Maui’s anthem mele (song) will also debut. Finally, the program will conclude with information about the future direction of the school and its efforts to further educate Maui’s community about the Hawaiian language and culture.

For 30 years, Pūnana Leo o Maui has immersed its students in a family-based learning environment in Wailuku, Maui where the Hawaiian language not only lives, but thrives. Similar to the act of a mother bird feeding its young at its pūnana (nest), the Hawaiian language is fed into the ears and mouths of 30 preschoolers each day at Pūnana Leo o Maui. Here, students are provided a quality early childhood education entirely through the Hawaiian language, ensuring that the Hawaiian language will live on for generations.

Pūnana Leo o Maui first opened its doors on November 10, 1987. Since then, hundreds of students have graduated from this program, a majority of which have continued on to the Dept. of Education’s Kula Kaiapuni o Maui program. Throughout this time, the school has also hosted thousands of students through its Hui Kīpaepae program which offers free Hawaiian language classes for community members who are interested in furthering their Hawaiian language education.

A majority of its time, the school has been spearheaded by Kahu Kili Nāmau‘u who is a well-respected leader in Maui’s Hawaiian immersion program and is currently on the Board of Education. “I’ve had the great pleasure and honor of serving the families of Pūnana Leo o Maui for over 25 years and I am thrilled that we will be able to come together during our 30th anniversary to celebrate the opening of this precious school, to enjoy one another’s company and memories, and to re-engage in a commitment to the perpetuation of our Hawaiian language and culture” stated Nāmau‘u.

The event will be hosted by the school’s non-profit community organization, Nā Leo Pūlama o Maui. President Joylynn Paman states, “it is remarkable and gratifying to see the school’s success come full circle as former Pūnana Leo o Maui graduates are fulfilling their kuleana (responsibility), to perpetuate the Hawaiian language, which was once instilled within them when they were in the program. Now, it’s exciting to see many graduates enrolling their children into Pūnana Leo and raising the next generation of Hawaiian speakers. We are looking forward to celebrating this with our Pūnana Leo o Maui community.”

For more information about the event or for invitees, to RSVP, visit www.naleopulma.com or contact Joylynn Paman at [email protected] or (808) 359-1172. For information about Pūnana Leo o Maui, contact Kili Nāmau‘u at (808) 244-5676.