Despite the short period of time the project has been in place, The Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Program has been making great strides. In the past six months, both Activity One and Activity Two have made substantial progress toward meeting the project’s objectives. Although success cannot be measured yet, expectations are high that native Hawaiian student retention and graduation rates will increase and access to higher education and technology will improve. In addition to the progress made on the objectives, the project has also grown in other ways. The administration of the project has become increasingly structured and well organized. New committees and personnel are being appointed to guarantee the program’s success, and strategic plans are in place to ensure that the program will achieve the objectives and goals that have been established.
Activity One is progressing under the direction of Gail Makuakane-Lundin. The objective of the activity is to increase support services to improve native Hawaiian student retention and graduation rates. This will be accomplished with the support services of an Education Specialist, Peer Tutors, Advisors, and Counselors. The job descriptions for the peer support positions have been written. These positions will be filled in the near future. The Education Specialist job description has also been written and posted. This position has a closing date of March 19, 2001. The Directors will work with the Education Specialist, Advising Coordinator, Career Coordinator, and the Learning Center Coordinator to ensure that quality support services are provided with the assistance of student workers. Assessment of student retention and graduation rates will be measured when personnel are in place and all of the performance indicators are implemented.
Activity Two is directed by Bill Chen, who is also the Program Director. The objective of Activity Two is to initiate the first cohort B.A. in Hawaiian Studies program to Maui. A cohort of twelve students was formed in Maui along with six in Moloka‘i. The eighteen students were placed in HAW 303: Third Level Hawaiian after taking a proficiency test and placing at the same level as a UH Hilo junior/senior studying for a BA degree. Lōkahi Antonio taught the course on site to the twelve students in Maui, while Kamalu Poepoe taught on site to the six students in Moloka‘i. Two other courses were offered in the Fall 2000 semester through Maui County’s intra-county distance learning system “Skybridge” with transmission to Moloka‘i. Emmaline Agpalo taught HAW 305: Hana No‘eau and Hokulani Holt-Padilla taught HAW 205: Hawaiian Music in Action. This semester (Spring 2001), Ki‘ope Raymond is teaching HAWS 361: Pana Hawai‘i on Maui with transmission to Moloka‘i via Skybridge. Lōkahi Antonio and Kamalu Poepoe are teaching HAW 304, the second semester of third year Hawaiian. Lōkahi Antonio will teach HAW 463: Introduction to Hawaiian Narrative Literature this summer via Skybridge.
As a part of the Internet access and asynchronous learning objective of Activity Two, a Computer Specialist is being sought to train faculty in the use of the Hawaiian Interactive Television System (HITS). The Computer Specialist will also assist faculty in publishing course material on the Internet for student access. Students will learn to use the BBS and e-mail and chat functions of WebCT to gain access to both class material and their instructor. As the students become more proficient in the Hawaiian language, they will learn to use Leoki. This system offers the same functions, except all of the language is written in Hawaiian.
To obtain knowledge on how to administer the program, Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin attended the Title III Project Director’s Technical Assistance Workshop in Washington D.C. from February 25th to the 27th, 2001. They attended plenary sessions on each day along with many other workshop sessions. They found these sessions to be very helpful and informative, giving them valuable insight into running a Title III program. They also met with Kelley Berry, the program officer for all Hawai‘i Title III projects. Ms. Berry expressed her support and enthusiasm for the progress the young project has made.
Some of the success of the project can be attributed to its organization. All of the project personnel attend weekly meetings to discuss the week’s accomplishments and to set goals for the future. These meetings have been crucial in keeping everyone involved in the project up to date. At these meetings, plans for the future are made and information for monthly and annual reports is shared.
Several employees and committees are being appointed to make certain that the project is run with efficiency. A Program Clerk has been hired to handle the daily office duties. A position description has been written for a Program Assistant Coordinator. This person will assist the Director with report writing and record keeping. The project Advisory Committee, which will meet quarterly, is currently being appointed. The committee will include the two Directors as well as University faculty and staff selected for their knowledge and expertise in this area. A Committee of native Hawaiian Faculty will meet semi annually to discuss the progress of the project and to share any valuable insights.
Although there is still a lot of work to be done in the next four and a half years, The Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Program is off to a remarkable start. By improving the access of quality support services to Native Hawaiian students through an Education Specialist and peer support workers, we are confident that the project will increase student retention and graduation rates. We are also optimistic that offering a BA in Hawaiian Studies through distance learning to outer islands (and eventually the mainland), will give more native Hawaiians access to higher education. This degree will also increase the access native Hawaiian students have to technology, therefore increasing their competency.
Increase the retention and graduation rates of native Hawaiian students by providing consistent and sufficient academic advising support in the Advising Center.
As of August 2001, the retention rate for native Hawaiian students will increase from 63% to 65% and graduation rate from 26% to 28%. As of January 2001, the number of peer advisors will increase from 0 to 2 and the number of computers available will increase from 0 to 4.
1.1a. All native Hawaiian undeclared majors will be required to be advised at least twice each academic year until they declare a major.
All native Hawaiian students with undeclared majors will be advised at least twice yearly when the Education Specialist and Peer Advisors are hired. The Education Specialist position has been posted and resumes are currently being reviewed. The Peer Advisor positions are also in the process of being filled. The Peer Advisors, the Education Specialist, and the Directors will work closely with Dianne Higgins, the Advising Coordinator, to ensure all of the advising objectives are met. This has not been accomplished yet due to the short time the project has been in place.
1.1b. All native Hawaiian undeclared majors will declare a major by the end of their sophomore year.
When the Education Specialist and Peer Advisors are hired, they will assist native Hawaiian students to declare a major by the end of their sophomore year.
1.1c. All native Hawaiian new and transfer students with declared majors will be advised at least twice within their first year of entering the college.
When they are appointed, the Education Specialist and Peer Advisors will advise students at least twice within their first year of entering the college.
1.1d. All native Hawaiian students on academic probation will meet with an academic advisor at least twice each semester.
The Education Specialist and Peer Advisors will ensure that students on academic probation are advised at least twice a semester.
1.1e. All native Hawaiian students who are interested in graduate and professional programs will be advised.
Students who are interested in graduate and professional programs will be advised when the Education Specialist and Peer Advisors are hired.
1.1f. Two Peer Advisors will be hired and trained to provide academic advising support services for native Hawaiian students.
The job description for the Peer Advisor positions has been written and posted. Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin are currently in the process of identifying and hiring two Peer Advisors to provide academic advising support services for native Hawaiian students.
1.1g. Four computers will be available to native Hawaiian students in the Advising Center.
Due to Campus Center renovations, computers have not been purchased. The renovation, originally scheduled to be complete in May 2001, has been delayed. Twenty computers, ten Macintosh and ten PC’s, will be purchased for the Campus Center when the renovations are complete in Fall 2001.
The Macintosh computers are necessary to be compatible with the Hawaiian College, which currently uses this system.
The job description for the Peer Advisor positions is complete and posted. Currently, Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin are in the process of identifying and hiring two Peer Advisors. The Peer Advisors will be trained to provide academic advising support services for native Hawaiian students.
The job description for the Education Specialist has been written and classified by the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH). The position is advertised with a closing date of March 19, 2001. Resumes are currently being accepted and reviewed for this position. The person appointed to Education Specialist will work closely with the Directors, Peer Advisors, and Dianne Higgins, the Advising Coordinator, to provide quality, consistent academic advising.
Performance Indicators 1.1a through 1.1e will be met when the Peer Advisors and the Education Specialist are in place. These positions have not been filled due to the short time the program has been in place.
Twenty computers will be purchased for the use of native Hawaiian students in the Advising Center when the Campus Center renovation is complete. The renovation, originally scheduled to be complete in May 2001, is taking longer than expected. To make the building ADA compliant, the contractors need more time. The new expected completion date is Fall 2001.
The improved retention and graduation rate of native Hawaiian students cannot be measured until the advising support services are implemented. At that time, the Education Specialist will discuss with Lynn Stamoulis, UHH Institution Researcher, to establish the data gathering process.
University student employment and personnel procedures
Increase the academic success of native Hawaiian students by increasing tutorial services in content areas and study skills in the Learning Center.
As of January 2001, the number of peer tutors will increase by 2. As of September 2001, the hours will increase from 1 to 2 nights per week and the number of computers available with Learning modules will increase by 2.
1.2a. Two Peer Tutors will be hired and trained to provide tutorial services in content areas and study skills for native Hawaiian students.
The job description for the Peer Tutor positions has been written and posted. Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin are in the process of identifying and hiring two Peer Tutors to train in providing tutorial services in content areas not currently being offered. The Peer Tutors will work closely with the Directors, the Education Specialist, and Guy Kimura, the Learning Center Coordinator to increase tutorial services.
1.2b. Content area tutoring for native Hawaiians will increase by 10% in subject areas that are not being offered.
Content area tutoring will increase when the Education Specialist and the Peer Tutors are hired and trained. Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin are identifying areas in which tutorial services are needed.
1.2c. The Learning Center will increase its hours of service from one to two nights per week.
The Learning Center will increase its hours when the Education Specialist and the Peer Tutors are hired.
1.2d. Two additional computers with learning modules will be available to native Hawaiian students.
Twenty computers, ten Macintosh and ten PC’s, will be purchased in Fall 2001 when the Campus Center renovation is complete.
The job description for the Peer Tutor positions has been written and posted. Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin are in the process of identifying content areas for tutoring as well as hiring and training two Peer Tutors. These tutors will work closely with the Directors, the Education Specialist, and Guy Kimura, the Learning Center Coordinator, to provide tutorial services in content areas not currently being offered. When these positions are filled, the hours of service at the Learning Center will be increased from one to two nights per week.
Twenty computers will be purchased for the Campus Center and accessible to native Hawaiian students for learning modules when the Campus Center renovation is complete Fall 2001.
The increase of academic success of native Hawaiian students cannot be measured until all of the performance indicators are implemented. At that time, the Education Specialist will discuss with Lynn Stamoulis, UHH Institution Researcher, to establish the data gathering process.
University student employment and personnel procedures
Increase the quality of services provided and information available to native Hawaiian students in career counseling and career planning in the Career Center.
As of January 2001, the number of career development peer counselors will increase from 0 to 2 and the number of computers available to native Hawaiian students will increase from 1 to 5.
1.3a. Two Peer Counselors will be hired and trained to provide career counseling and career planning services for native Hawaiian students.
The job description for the Peer Counselors has been written and posted. Two Peer Counselors will be hired and trained to assist in career counseling and planning services for native Hawaiian students. The Peer Counselors will work closely with the Directors, the Education Specialist, and Randal Usui, the Career Placement and Student Employment Specialist, to increase the career planning services in the Career Center.
1.3b. Five computers will be available to native Hawaiian students in the Career Center.
Twenty computers, ten Macintosh and ten personal computers will be purchased for the Campus Center for the use of native Hawaiian students. The career information software “DISCOVER” has been purchased for the computers in the Career Center. This software will help students assess their interests and abilities as well as assist them in making important career and educational decisions. This software contains several tools and databases to guide students in everything from financial aid to job seeking skills.
The job description for Peer Counselors has been written. Currently, Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin are identifying and hiring two Peer Counselors to assist in career counseling and planning services for native Hawaiian students. The Peer Counselors will work closely with the Directors, the Education Specialist, and Randal Usui, the Career Placement and Student Employment Specialist, to increase the quality of services offered in the Career Center.
Twenty computers will be purchased in Fall 2001 when the Campus Center renovation is complete. The software “DISCOVER” has been purchased for the computers in the Career Center. “DISCOVER” will assist students in making educational and career decisions through assessments, databases, and learning tools.
University student employment and personnel procedures.
Initiate the first cohort BA in Hawaiian Studies program to Maui.
By August 2000, 20 students will be admitted to the program. By July 2001, 15 credits will be delivered via distance learning.
1.1a. Faculty who are teaching for the first year will be trained to use the technology including Interactive Television System and course material development on the World Wide Web.
The two third year Hawaiian language classes offered in Fall 2000 were taught on site in Maui and Moloka‘i. This made faculty training unnecessary. It is fortunate this option was available for these classes. Hawai‘i Interactive Television System (HITS) is very tightly scheduled, and may not have been available for the time needed for these classes. This solution enabled the instructors to have the required student-teacher contact for at least 50 minutes a day, five days a week. The Computer Specialist will train faculty in course material development on the Internet when he/she is hired.
1.1b. Five courses will be delivered with two courses each in Fall 2000 and Spring 2001, one course in Summer 2001.
In Fall 2000, two Hawaiian Language Studies courses were offered. A cohort of 18 Hawaiian Studies distance-learning students received HAW 303: Third Level Hawaiian. Twelve students were located in Maui, and six in Moloka‘i. These students were selected for this class based on their scores on a Hawaiian language proficiency exam. They placed at the same level as a UH Hilo junior/senior studying for a BA degree. Lōkahi Antonio, a UH Hilo graduate in Hawaiian Studies and an MA candidate in Religion at UH Mānoa, taught third year Hawaiian to twelve students in Maui. Kamalu Poepoe, a UH Hilo graduate in Hawaiian Studies and a teacher in the Department of Education’s Immersion Program, taught the same course to six students in Moloka‘i. Two other Hawaiian Studies courses were offered through Maui County’s intra-county distance learning system “Skybridge” to Moloka‘i in Fall 2000. Emmaline Agpalo, a Native Hawaiian speaking elder, taught HAWS 305: Hana No‘eau. Hokulani Holt-Padilla, a well-known musician and hula instructor taught HAWS 205:Hawaiian Music in Action.
This Spring (2001), two Hawaiian Studies courses are being offered. Ki‘ope Raymond, head of Maui Community College’s Hawaiian Studies Program, is teaching HAWS 361: Pana Hawai‘i (focusing on the historical culture significance of place names of Maui) with transmission via Skybridge to Moloka‘i. Lōkahi Antonio and Kamalu Poepoe are teaching HAW 304, the second semester of third year language study.
Lōkahi Antonio will teach HAWS 463: Introduction to Hawaiian Narrative Literature, this summer over Skybridge in Maui. This 3-credit class deals with oral and written tales, literature, and poetry.
1.1c. Faculty will travel to receiving site to meet students.
Because the Hawaiian language classes were offered on site in Fall 2000, there was no need for faculty to travel inter-island to meet the students. Kalena Silva, the Director of the Hawaiian Language College, did travel to Maui three times in Spring 2000 to administer the Hawaiian language proficiency test to students there and in Moloka‘i via Skybridge. He also traveled to Moloka‘i one time the same semester to meet with perspective students.
1.1d. Students will be trained to gain access to faculty via chat rooms, e-mail, etc.
For beginning Hawaiian language classes, students will be taught to use the BBS, and e-mail and chat functions of WebCT. As the students become more proficient in Hawaiian, they will be taught to use the Hawaiian language intranet system, Leoki. This system offers the same functions, except it is completely in Hawaiian.
The objective, to initiate the first cohort BA in Hawaiian Studies program to Maui, has been accomplished and surpassed. Not only has a cohort of twelve students been formed in Maui, they are joined by a group of six in Moloka‘i. After taking a proficiency test, these students were taught third year Hawaiian on site. The on-site instruction allowed the students the required 50 minute teacher-student contact five days a week for these four credit classes. Two other HAWS classes were taught in Maui in the Fall and broadcast to Moloka‘i through Skybridge. Emmaline Agpalo, a Native Hawaiian elder taught the one credit Hana No‘eau course and Hokulani Holt-Padilla, a well known musician and hula instructor, taught the two credit Hawaiian music course.
This semester (Spring 2001), Ki‘ope Raymond is teaching HAWS 361: Pana Hawai‘i transmitted to Moloka‘i via Skybridge. Lōkahi Antonio and Kamalu Poepoe are teaching Haw 304, the second semester of third year Hawaiian language study.
This summer, Lōkahi Antonio will teach HAWS 463: Introduction to Hawaiian Narrative Literature on Maui. The course will be delivered over Skybridge.
In the future, faculty who are teaching for the first year through distance learning will be trained by the Computer Specialist to use HITS and to develop course material for the World Wide Web.
Faculty was not required to travel to receiving sites to meet students since the Hawaiian language classes were taught on site. Kalena Silva, the Director of the Hawaiian Language College traveled to Maui three times in the Spring 2000 semester to administer the language proficiency test and one time to Moloka‘i to meet with perspective students.
Students in beginning Hawaiian language classes will be taught to use the BBS, and e-mail and chat functions of WebCT. When the students progress to upper level Hawaiian language classes, they will be introduced to the intranet system Leoki. This system offers all of the same functions, only in Hawaiian.
Internet access and asynchronous learning
1.2a. A computer specialist will be hired to assist faculty in using the technology.
The job description for the Computer Specialist is complete and posted. Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin are reviewing resumes for this position. The Computer Specialist will assist the faculty in publishing course material on the Internet and using technology to teach courses using distance learning.
1.2b. Students will have access to course materials currently offered.
Work has begun to document and prepare three Hawaiian linguistic classes for web delivery. Hawaiian Phonetics and Phonology, Hawaiian Ethnozoology, and Mele ‘Auna (contemporary Hawaiian music), are all being prepped for course material access on the Internet. The work will begin this summer to revise and enhance the College’s Hawaiian language textbook, Na Kai ‘Ewalu. An online curriculum based on this book will be developed. As each chapter is revised, lessons will be formatted to create multimedia files. First year Hawaiian language classes, HAW 101 and 102 will be delivered online by Fall 2002.
1.2c. A new Internet server will be purchased to replace the current server in the College.
A new Internet server system is currently being researched. A new server will be purchased in the future.
A Computer Specialist will be hired in the near future. Bill Chen and Gail Makuakane-Lundin are currently reviewing resumes for this position. The Computer Specialist will assist the faculty in using technology to deliver classes via distance learning and publishing course material on the Internet.
Three Hawaiian linguistic classes are currently being prepared for Internet delivery. Course materials for Hawaiian language classes will be available to students online by Fall 2002. This summer, the Hawaiian language textbook, Na Kai ‘Ewalu, will be revised for online use.
A new Internet server system will be purchased in the future.