E Ola Ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
KŪLANIĀKEA - NO KA LĀHUI
The Foundation & The Voyage
KŪLANIĀKEA
At Kūlaniākea, our sanctuary is designed for the most formative years - from the first steps of a toddler to the budding independence of the preschooler. Our daily indoor environment is a nurturing environment where ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i and aloha ʻāina principles cultivate a child’s sense of order, language, and self. We utilize a kinesthetic curriculum that engages the whole child, ensuring that even our youngest learners are immersed in a world where identity grows through every movement.
To complement this daily foundational work, we extend our classroom into the ‘āina twice a month. These intentional expeditions to Papahana Kuaola and Wa‘a Ka‘ihekauila allow our keiki to apply their indoor learning to the rhythm of the natural world. These monthly journeys ensure that our keiki begin their education with their feet firmly on the land and their hearts connected to the sea.(Weather Permitting)
"We have redefined the modern classroom by grounding Kūlaniākea in the sacred soil of ‘Ike Hawai‘i, creating a unique educational sanctuary built for the keiki of today through self-directed, hands-on learning within specially prepared environments."
3-5 Years Old
Kinesthetic & Culture-Based Learning Environment
Designed to cultivate a sense of order and personal independence, the learning environment integrates physical coordination with specialized educational tools. This culture-based curriculum is inherently kinesthetic; it honors learning as a whole-body experience, encouraging children to actively embody knowledge rather than just observing or handling materials.
Ancestral Wisdom Meets Modern Innovation (STEAM)
From foundational studies in language arts, math, and geography to hands-on exploration in botany, zoology, and practical life, our curriculum is both comprehensive and culturally rooted. We proudly center our teachings around the Kumulipo and traditional wayfinding. Long before the modern acronym STEAM was introduced, our kūpuna lived and breathed these integrated sciences every day. Kūlaniākea brings these ancestral practices forward into the modern classroom, empowering keiki and their ʻohana to live, learn, and innovate through an Indigenous lens.
Aloha ʻāina
Cultivating Stewards of ʻĀina and Each Other
Beyond 21st-century academics, Kūlaniākea empowers keiki to discover their unique talents and connect with the world through an Indigenous lens. Our keiki and ʻohana are active stewards of their environment and community. By living the values of kindness and compassion, they learn to mālama kekahi i kekahi me ke aloha (care for one another with love) and aloha ʻāina (love and protect the land and sea) - growing into contributors who cherish and uplift our island home.
KAMALI'I ADMISSIONS
Mahalo for your interest in Kūlaniākea.
Due to our high-touch, Indigenous learning environment and limited resources, our programs are currently operating on a waitlist. However, we warmly welcome new families to apply for future openings.
Please download and complete the application form below and return them to us along with the non-refundable $25.00 application fee.
DOWNLOAD KAMALI'I APPLICATION HERE
Please note that in-person site visits are not being conducted at this time. If you would like more information or have questions about the enrollment process, please call (808) 247-3300 or email admissions@kulaniakea.org
18 MONTHS - 3 YEARS
HI'ILEI
Key components of Kūlaniākeaʻs toddler program include a prepared environment, meaningful, developmentally and culturally appropriate activities, including a strong partnership between parents and teachers.
18 months - 3 yrs
Independence & Value-Based Learning
Our Hiʻilei program honors the toddler’s innate drive for autonomy and discovery. By learning to navigate practical milestones such as clothing themselves, pouring water, and restoring order to their spaces keiki cultivate a foundational conviction: “hiki iaʻu ke hana” (“I can do it”). Surrounded by specialized learning materials and enveloped in the cultural values of aloha, gratitude, and respect, children learn that their growing independence is beautifully connected to the care of their community and the earth.
HI'ILEI ADMISSIONS
Mahalo for your interest in Kūlaniākea.
Due to our high-touch, Indigenous learning environment and limited resources, our programs are currently operating on a waitlist. However, we warmly welcome new families to apply for future openings. Please note that Hi'ilei haumana do not participate in the outdoor learning environments at this time. As our resources grow we hope to be able to bring our littlest learners along too.
Please download and complete the application form below and return them to us along with the non-refundable $25.00 application fee.
DOWNLOAD HI'ILEI APPLICATION HERE
Please note that in-person site visits are not being conducted at this time. If you would like more information or have questions about the enrollment process, please call (808) 247-3300 or email admissions@kulaniakea.org.
Additional Information
25% Discount and Priority Application for Kāneʻohe Congregational Church Members
Additional Expenses
The following are not covered by tuition:
- Morning & Afternoon Snack: ʻOhana will rotate providing snacks for the entire class. Snack schedules will be provided at orientation.
- Lunch: Keiki are expected to bring home lunch daily.
- School Uniforms: Blue t-shirts will be worn daily for Kamaliʻi program only. Red t-shirts to be worn by all keiki and makua for special events.
- Supplemental School Supplies: Supply list(s) will be provided in the acceptance packet.
Upon acceptance, you will need to provide the following:
- $500 – One-time deposit for new keiki upon enrollment (Deposit applied to final month tuition)
- Copies of Form 14: Department of Education, Student’s Health Record and Form 908: Early Childhood Pre-K Health Record Supplement or Medical or Religious Exemption Documentation
- Copy of Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance Form
You will receive all of this information and more in your acceptance packet.
Tuition Assistance:
Click below for more information. We accept the following:
Bring the Haʻawina Home
While you wait for a classroom opening, you can still bring the spirit of Kūlaniākea into your daily life. We invite parents, teachers, and supporters to explore our online store, where you can purchase specially developed curriculum materials, books, and resources. Purchasing from our store not only gives you immediate access to our haʻawina (lessons) to use at home or in your own spaces, but it also directly supports our mission and the continued development of our indigenous learning tools.