The E Ola Pono campaign, which encourages youth groups to promote peace, pono and respect at their schools and communities through student-led campaigns, celebrated its 10th year with winning projects from throughout the state. ADVERTISING The E Ola Pono campaign,
The E Ola Pono campaign, which encourages youth groups to promote peace, pono and respect at their schools and communities through student-led campaigns, celebrated its 10th year with winning projects from throughout the state.
Na Wai Ola Public Charter School in Mountain View was among six schools in three divisions that received recognition and monetary awards for their campaigns.
The state Department of Education campaign was created as a cultural response to bullying in the schools. Student groups are encouraged to actively “grow pono,” to foster respect and harmony.
“This campaign is an excellent example of showcasing student voice and leadership,” said Superintendent Christina Kishimoto.
“Congratulations to the winning schools and all of the entrants who put a lot of thought and time into these projects that promote positivity within our schools and communities,” she said.
Na Wai Ola Public Charter School took first place in the Elementary Division for its mala (garden) program that teaches students how to grow food, medicines and plants with aloha and respect.
Shari Frias, the school’s agricultural science teacher and adviser for its pono campaign, observed that students who have been at their school for a few years have a personal connection and understanding of their mala, the environment and themselves. The older students have developed a strong connection to place.
“Every plant in our mala has a place and kulelana just like you,” Frias tells her students. “If we care about ourselves the way we care for our plants we will be pono and balanced.”
For more information about the E Ola Pono campaign and the 2016-17 winners, visit www.growingponoschools.com.
