‘Auhea ‘oe e ka leo Wai‘ōma‘o o Ka‘au
i pae au i Līlīlehua i Waikīkī
A hō‘ea i Kalāhū
E kāhea mai ē
Haku ‘ia e Kahelelani Cruz lāua ‘o Keauhou Mitchell-Aidan
After an unforgettable return to Maui, where it all began, we set our sights on Oʻahu-a-Lua for the 26th Annual Native Hawaiian Education Association Convention! E hele mai—join us on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Kapiʻolani Community College in Kalāhū, Oʻahu for a day of connection, learning, and empowerment. Let’s come together to uplift and strengthen Native Hawaiian education!
This year’s conference theme: He lālā kamahele no ka lāʻau kū i ka pali—A far-reaching branch of the tree standing on the cliff.
This powerful ʻōlelo noʻeau speaks to a wayfaring branch extending from a tree that stands firm against the cliffside—a symbol of resilience, adaptability, and strength. As the landscape of support and resources continues to shift, we, too, remain steadfast in our kuleana to Native Hawaiian education and the empowerment of our lāhui. Like this branch, we navigate challenges with strategic discretion, ensuring the continued success and thriving of our communities for generations to come.
The manaʻo behind the graphic, from its kumu:
For this design, I chose the ʻŌhiʻa tree. After a lava flow, the ʻŌhiʻa is one of the first plants to break through and begin growing again. I saw this as a powerful parallel to the challenges we currently face in Hawaiʻi—the idea of resilience and thriving despite adversity, just as the ʻŌhiʻa does on our mountainsides, cliffs, and fresh lava flows.
For the style, I wanted to keep it simple and not overly realistic, ensuring that the focus remained on the concept of clinging to a cliff, as expressed in the ʻōlelo noʻeau. I also chose colors that would make the ʻŌhiʻa stand out and highlight its height above the coastline. The combination of gold and red felt natural, not only because they complement each other well, but also because they are deeply symbolic colors for Ali in Hawaiʻi. Altogether, I aimed to bring these elements together into one strong graphic representation.
The 2025 NHEA Educator of the Year Recipients
This year’s distinguished recipients have devoted over 100 years of collective service to Native Hawaiian Education across the islands of Lāna‘i, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu. We honor their unwavering dedication to our keiki, families, and communities—celebrating the legacy of Aloha they have poured into their work, their families, and our lāhui. Their contributions are nothing short of inspiring, and today, we stand in deep gratitude for the profound impact they’ve made in shaping the future of Native Hawaiian education.
Maikaʻi ka makani o Kohala ʻike ʻia e ka Inuwai
Gwendolyn Takeguchi is a retired educator with the State of Hawaii Department of Education, where she dedicated her career to teaching and supporting students. As a teacher, Gwendolyn fostered a nurturing learning environment that helped students thrive academically and personally. In addition to her role in the classroom, she served as a resources coordinator for the DOE’s Kupuna Program, where she worked to connect elders with schools and students, helping bridge generational knowledge and fostering intergenerational learning.
Throughout her career, Gwendolyn was deeply committed to the educational and cultural development of her students, emphasizing the importance of community, collaboration, and Hawaiian values. Her work in the Kupuna Program helped preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Hawai‘i, ensuring that wisdom from the kūpuna was passed down to future generations.
Lei ana Lānaʻi i ke kaunaʻoa mehe kapa ʻahuʻula kau poʻohiwi
Pamela Alconcel is the Coordinator and Associate Professor at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College's Lānaʻi Education Center, where she has served since 2005. In her role, she facilitates educational programs between UH Maui College, the University of Hawaiʻi System, Lānaʻi High & Elementary School, and the broader Lānaʻi community. Her responsibilities include recruiting and counseling students, organizing courses, and providing comprehensive student services such as advising, admissions, testing, and registration.
Pamela is deeply committed to Native Hawaiian education, particularly in promoting Hawaiian language and culture. She has been involved in developing place-based curricula that emphasize the importance of Hawaiian language, history, and cultural practices. Through programs like Nā Pua Noʻeau, she has worked to support gifted and talented Native Hawaiian students and nurture their academic growth. Additionally, she mentors youth at the Lānaʻi Culture and Heritage Center, guiding students in exploring and preserving the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Hanohano Kauaʻi Manokalanipō kihāpai pua ua kaulana
Isaiah Kaʻauwai serves as the Title IX Coordinator and Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer at Kauaʻi Community College, where he oversees compliance with Title IX regulations and EEO/AA policies. Beyond his administrative roles, Isaiah actively contributes to Native Hawaiian education initiatives. He is a member of the University of Hawaiʻi's Strategic Plan Kuleana Committee, specifically working within the Native Hawaiian Student Success and Leadership group, which focuses on enhancing educational outcomes and leadership opportunities for Native Hawaiian students. Isaiah's commitment to student support is further demonstrated by his previous role as Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and his experience as an instructor at Kauaʻi Community College. An alumnus of the University of Hawaiʻi System, he exemplifies dedication to advancing higher education and supporting Native Hawaiian communities.
Brief Agenda & Registration Info
Our 26th Annual NHEA Convention begins with protocol led by Kapiʻolani Community College’s ‘Aha Kalāualani, grounding us in place and purpose. We are thrilled to welcome Robert T. Anderson, Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior, who will speak on U.S.-Native Hawaiian relations and the current political landscape, providing invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our community.
We then honor excellence in education with our annual Educator of the Year Award Ceremony, celebrating leaders in our communities who have dedicated their lives to uplifting the lāhui. After a celebratory lunch, the afternoon shifts into action with workshops, where participants can dive deeper into various topics impacting our lāhui today.
We will close the day with a transformative plenary session led by Nāwa'a Napoleon of Kapiʻolani Community College, leaving us inspired and united in our collective purpose as we move forward together.
Please click on this link to register for this convention with our online form. We highly recommend using one email per convention participant to avoid any possible registration issues. The general registration fee for this year's conference is $300 which includes the cost of attendance, conference materials, continental breakfast, and lunch. Purchase orders, cash, checks, and credit/debit cards are accepted. P.S. free t-shirts will be given out to the first 50 registrants. Register by March 15th for a guaranteed size.
If you have questions or inquiries regarding this year's NHEA convention, please contact Wini Chung at nhea.hawaii@gmail.com or at 1-866-528-3353.