At Ka‘ewai Elementary School, 10-year-old fourth grader Gloria Tuiofea lights up when she talks about Hawaiian studies. She loved learning how to steer a wa‘a. She loved the hike through Kamananui Valley, listening to stories about plants used for medicine and rope-making. She loved learning the true place names of the islands she calls home.

“I love it. My friends all love it,” Tuiofea said. “We are all so happy whenever we learn about Hawaiian studies.”

For students like Tuiofea — many of whom do not have Native Hawaiian ancestry — the lessons offer something larger: a sense of identity, belonging and connection to Hawai‘i. And for her mother, Rosalina Peterson, those experiences are too important to lose.

“I strongly believe DOE should keep Native Hawaiian education in the school sys

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