About Ho‘okahua

The Ho‘okahua Project Overview

The name of this project, Ho‘okahua, symbolizes its intent. Ho‘okahua means, "to lay a foundation". The traditional Hawaiian saying "O ke kahua ma mua, ma hope ke kukulu" translates as, first you lay the foundation upon which to build. This reflects the overarching goal of our National Science Foundation (NSF) Tribal College University Partnership (TCUP) grant proposal, to:

(1) Adapt and infuse the Interactive Mathematics Program (IMP) into the college curriculum;

(2) Integrate indigenous knowledge into our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum; and

(3) Revitalize the institutional culture through faculty development, enhanced STEM student services, and greater visibility and achievement of students, particularly Hawaiian students, in STEM careers.

This project  will strengthen science and mathematics learning and establish a firm foundation, "Ho‘okahua", upon which students can build.

Ho‘‘okahua Goal

To provide faculty development and curriculum development in order to restructure and strengthen science and math offerings.  Additionally, to institutionalize and sustain these changes.

To increase:

    • incoming students preparedness to STEM courses and programs
    •  student success in STEM courses and programs
    • enrollment and completion rates of students at Maui Community College (MCC) in STEM courses and programs
    • student access to technology and indigenous knowledge in the STEM disciplines
    •  their transition to the STEM workforce or other 4-year institutions in STEM programs

The Ho‘okahua Project
Maui Community College • 310 Ka‘ahumanu Avenue • Kahului, Hawai‘i • 96732
Tribal College University Program • National Science Foundation
Phone (808) 984-3346 • Fax (808) 244-3228