UH Mānoa summer program gives Native Hawaiian students tasted of college life

For the past couple of weeks, nearly 100 Native Hawaiian students, from grades 6 through 12, across Hawaiʻi and the continental U.S. got a taste of college life at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa through a free residential summer program, hosted by Nā Pua Noʻeau.

Living near campus, the keiki participated in programs that immersed students in activities rooted in cultural identity ranging from science, engineering to arts and math. UH Mānoa graduate students guided participants on the design and printing of 3D waʻa or canoes.

“The list goes on and on as far as providing this nice mix of cultural foundation opportunities mix with Western ike (knowledge) and bringing them to a first-class learning experience here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa,” said Kinohi Gomes, Nā Pua Noʻeau UH Mānoa Director.

The Nā Pua Noʻeau UH Mānoa Summer Institute collaborates with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Office of Hawaii an Education Department and UH Mānoa Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program.

Nā Pua Noʻeau Centers are stationed at UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, UH Maui College, Kauaʻi Community College and UH West Oʻahu.

“This is my third year doing engineering and I kind of wanted to guide myself down that path because that’s what I plan to do in the future,” said Kavin Ing, Incoming UH Mānoa engineering freshman/Kamehameha Schools graduate. “And this program really helps me prepare for that.”

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Nā Pua Noʻeau program. The first session took place June 3–14 and hosted 49 students from grades 6-8. The second session is happening this week till June 28.