Selected
2020 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

EA Ecoversity

Empowering Native Hawaiians youth and young adults to reach their highest potential and solve 21st century challenges by reconnecting to their native language and culture.

Team Leader
Kū Kahakalau
Empowering Native Hawaiians youth and young adults to reach their highest potential and solve 21st century challenges by reconnecting to their native language and culture.

The Problem

Americanization of public schools left Native Hawaiians as Hawaiʻi’s most under- and undereducated major ethnic group. Moreover, after the 1896 ban on Hawaiian in public schools, over 90% of young Native Hawaiians cannot communicate in Hawaiian or practice cultural protocol.

The Solution

EA Ecoversity is a culturally-driven, no-cost higher education, career training and workforce development program that empowers native Hawaiian youth and young adults to reach their highest potential. To facilitate such an experience, EA Ecoversity has designed an Indigenous Learning Management system (I-LMS) shell focusing on Indigenous needs and propensities. Once coded and de-bugged, this I-LMS will feature a blended e-learning and job training program grounded in an atmosphere of aloha.

While EA Ecoversity is tuition free, Native Hawaiian learners are expected to reciprocate throughout their two-year learning journey by gifting their time and skills to the program following a pattern of reciprocal giving successfully practiced by Native Hawaiians for thousands of years.

Stats

EA Ecoversity hosts events, summer camps, and online courses, including a yearly indigenous food event with over 500 attendees.

What is the name of your organization?
Kū-A-Kanaka LLC
What is the name of your solution?
EA Ecoversity
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Empowering Native Hawaiians youth and young adults to reach their highest potential and solve 21st century challenges by reconnecting to their native language and culture.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Hilo, HI
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
—
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
—
What specific problem are you solving?
Americanization of public schools left Native Hawaiians as Hawaiʻi’s most under- and undereducated major ethnic group. Moreover, after the 1896 ban on Hawaiian in public schools, over 90% of young Native Hawaiians cannot communicate in Hawaiian or practice cultural protocol.
What is your solution?
EA Ecoversity is a culturally-driven, no-cost higher education, career training and workforce development program that empowers native Hawaiian youth and young adults to reach their highest potential. To facilitate such an experience, EA Ecoversity has designed an Indigenous Learning Management system (I-LMS) shell focusing on Indigenous needs and propensities. Once coded and de-bugged, this I-LMS will feature a blended e-learning and job training program grounded in an atmosphere of aloha. While EA Ecoversity is tuition free, Native Hawaiian learners are expected to reciprocate throughout their two-year learning journey by gifting their time and skills to the program following a pattern of reciprocal giving successfully practiced by Native Hawaiians for thousands of years.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our primary focus is to empower the 52% of Native Hawaiians ages 15–30 with no post-secondary education. Graduates of the 12 Hawaiian-focused charter schools across three Hawaiian Islands, as well as young adults balancing life responsibilities, will also benefit from EA Ecoversity. The flexibility of EA Ecoversity’s curriculum and self-guided modules makes learning accessible for those with busy lives. To ensure high quality and achievement, each student is paired with a mentor aligned to their area of interest. One-on-one mentorship provides consistent support to keep students engaged throughout their learning journey. EA Ecoversity offers an affordable pathway for local youth and young adults to gain skills to contribute to their communities. Validated through e-portfolios and digital badges, Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit community has expressed strong support for hiring program graduates. Online and offline education with aloha offers practical application to propel students into the workforce and contribute to their home communities.

Organization Type:
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

Headquarters:
Hilo, HI, United States

Stage:
Pilot

Working In:
United States

Solution Website:
www.kuakanaka.com/eaecoversity

Solution Team:
Kū Kahakalau
Kū Kahakalau
CEO
Krisha Zane
Krisha Zane