FIRST PERSON: Building ‘āina-based education in Hawai’i

Kapua Chandler was raised on the rural island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi but left the island for boarding school and higher education. Her values and worldview were shaped by her family and the place where she grew up, and she sought a way to bring more education opportunities to her home. Opening in fall 2025, the Namahana School will bring an ‘āina-based education to the north shore of Kauaʻi. Using the Big Picture Learning model, the school will enable students to build 21st-century skills while also remaining connected to the culture and knowledge of their community.