Group doing some good?

Are you part of a group who has done a project or activity to improve your school or community this school year?

If so, consider joining the E Ola Pono Campaign by May 15 so your efforts can be acknowledged and your group becomes eligible for a monetary award.

The E Ola Pono Campaign is in its seventh year of encouraging student-led initiatives in grades K-12 to proactively work to eliminate bullying and promote the concept of living pono, defined as acting with respect toward everyone and everything.

Campaign sponsors ask groups to submit documentation and a brief reflection about their activity by the mid May deadline. Judges then will select exemplary E Ola Pono Campaigns in elementary, middle/intermediate and high school divisions. Awards range from $250 to $1,000.

Hawaii Island schools that submitted winning campaigns during the past few years include Konawaena Middle School, Kanu O Ka Aina, Honokaa High, Kealakehe Intermediate, Naalehu Elementary, Waiakea Elementary and Innovations Public Charter School.

These student groups promoted living pono in a variety of ways, from encouraging kindness to helping youths initiate change sthey want to see.

Information about the E Ola Pono Campaign and resources to support teaching about living pono can be found at www.growingponoschools.com. Questions can be sent to GPS Project staff members Randee Golden at rgolden808@gmail.com or Sara Ka‘imipono Banks at sarabanks@hawaii.rr.com.

This project is sponsored by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Center on Disability Studies, Growing Pono Schools Project, a federally funded education initiative.