Hanahau‘oli School Est. 1918
Hanahau‘oli, which translates as “joyous work” is dedicated to educational excellence by making learning exciting, challenging, and enjoyable. Hanahau‘oli validates childhood and the way children learn as a foundation for life-long learning. Hanahau‘oli is committed to learning by doing. It integrates the essential skills and concepts of the basic disciplines. It promotes critical and creative thinking, and emphasizes the important role of the arts as expression of self and culture.
“ Hanahau‘oli is...a place where I look forward to going and a place where learning has no limits.” ~ Po‘e Ka‘ahele Student, Age 10
Joy in Learning
Honoring the Child
As a progressive school, Hanahau‘oli is a child-centered community. There is a deep respect for childhood, and the natural way children learn--through play! We honor each individual child’s pacing and growth over time.
“ Hanahau‘oli is...a feel free place to be you.” ~ Kulāiwi Student, Age 8
Children learn best through direct, authentic experiences. “Making” motivates and promotes critical thinking, empowering children to construct meaning. We learn from doing, from the community, from one another, and most importantly, from reflecting.
“ Hanahau’oli is... a door of opportunity to explore the real world.” ~ Po’e Ka’ahele Student, Age 9
Learning by Doing
Connecting Home & School Life
Family is the first and foremost educator of children. A close connection between home and school exists because parents are highly involved in the community, modeling curiosity and engagement in joyous work.
“ Hanahau‘oli is...like home because we nap and eat and play.” ~ Kukunaokalā Student, Age 6
A sense of belonging has powerful effects on learning. Our small school fosters a strong sense of connectedness with shared, cherished traditions. As an intimate, diverse community, the value of interdependence is lived and perpetuated. Each child is known by name and shakes hands with the Head of School at the end of each school day.
“ Hanahau‘oli is...a place that will never leave my heart.” ~ 6th Grade Student, Age 12
Building a Nurturing Community
Teaching as Lifelong Learning
Hanahau‘oli teachers are facilitators of learning and thought leaders in progressive and elementary education. They model observation, curiosity, reflection, and joyous work.
“ Hanahau‘oli is a place where the entire community engages in a learning journey. This journey requires the curious minds, cooperative efforts and collaborative risk-taking of children, teachers and families. It is an incredibly satisfying and exciting place to teach and learn. ~ Alison Baclig, Junior Kindergarten Teacher
The Hanahau‘oli child develops as a unique individual, with a deep sense of groundedness, demonstrated by a respect and responsibility to self and others, within a diverse and global society. Multiage classrooms began in 1997 to better reflect real life and broaden the range of cognitive challenge, social growth and relationships.
“ Hanahau‘oli is...a place where I get to be like a little sister and then the next year I get to be like a big sister and I don’t know which one I like better!” ~ Kulāiwi Student, Age 9
Raising the Whole Child
A Legacy of Lifelong Learning
Hanahau‘oli is the progressive school pioneer. Progressive education is . . . a moving, dynamic changing education . . . a living thing, growing, continuously having to change because of the three great changing elements with which we deal -- children, environment, and . . . culture. ~ Louisa Palmer, Principal of Hanahau‘oli School , 1924 - 1957
“ Hanahau‘oli is...a happy school.” ~ JK Student, Age 4
My Hanahau‘oli School story began in 1980 when I started as a Junior Kindergartener. Many of my clearest memories as a student involve the arts - working in a group to put on a play, creating an art piece, making a useful product in Shop. I remember feeling so proud of my work. However, what is most vivid when I think about my time at Hanahau‘oli as a student, is how I felt. I felt safe, cared for, appreciated for who I was, and loved. Returning to Hanahau‘oli as a teacher in 2012, I gained a greater appreciation for the intention behind the “magic.” The “magic” is created by the intelligent design of all aspects of the school and by the close, personal relationships faculty build with each student. Teachers and staff at Hanahau‘oli celebrate diversity of talent and thinking, and recognize that all learning outcomes are valuable. As a parent of Hanahau‘oli students, I am most grateful that my children get to be kids, and do the work
Thank you for your interest in
of childhood, which is play, each and every day. I also love that every member of our school community
Hanahau‘oli School. We look
- from the custodians to the front office to the teachers to other parents - play a role in nurturing and
forward to joyous work with you.
educating my children. Finally, as an administrator in a community where lifelong learning is encouraged, and in fact, expected,
www.hanahauoli.org
I know what holds true for children, holds true for adults - we thrive when we feel respected, supported
or contact us at (808) 949-6461
and appreciated for our individual talents, and when such talents are used for the greater good of achieving our school’s mission. I look forward to being a part of your Hanahau‘oli story. With Aloha,
Lia Woo ’88
Head of School
Hanahau‘oli School Est. 1918
1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 www.hanahauoli.org (808) 949-6461