As data depict, Native Hawaiian public school students consistently rank among the lowest of all ethnic groups by nearly every measure of academic engagement and success (Kana'iaupuni & Ishibashi, 2003). As is common with many children of indigenous ancestry, teaching methodologies, pedagogical strategies, and structures of mainstream or…

This study investigated the ways in which family members of students in a Hawaiian language immersion program were involved in their children's education and identified the effects of and barriers to involvement. A sociocultural theoretical approach and Epstein's framework of different types of involvement were applied. Participants included 35…

Describes a Hawaiian language immersion program classroom (a second- and third-grade combination classroom) that acknowledges both the language and culture of students while supporting the development of a culturally grounded community of learners. Notes historical information, discusses ownership and authenticity, and describes aspects of…

Hawaii has a strong crusade to revive the Hawaiian language to preserve the Hawaiian culture. The article examines the events leading up to the implementation of Hawaiian language immersion programs through the State Department of Education and lists specific immersion school goals and strategies. (SM)

Difficulties faced in evaluations that include data in a language not native to the evaluators or that lie outside the evaluators' cultural experience are discussed. Improvements to credibility and fairness from using a cross-cultural, bilingual evaluation are described and illustrated through evaluation of a language immersion program in Hawaii.…

The Hawaii State Department of Education offers a growing number of Hawaiian language immersion schools for its students. The article presents the history of immersion schools in Hawaii, examining criticisms of immersion schools, discussing their benefits, and explaining necessary components for success. (SM)