Niihau School of Kekaha
21°58′09″N 159°42′40″W / 21.9692823°N 159.7111523°W Niihau School of Kekaha (NSK, Hawaiian: Hale Kula Niihau o Kekaha), also known as Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha Learning Center (KKNOK), is a K-12 charter school in Kekaha, Kauai, Hawaii, United States, catering to Niihau people living on Kauai.[1]
According to Christine Hitt of Hawai'i Magazine, the school is trying to keep the Niihau language alive due to a growing Niihau diaspora in Kauai,[1] where the dominant languages are instead English and Hawaiian Pidgin.
History
[edit]On May 17, 2001, the Hawaii State Board of Education approved the creation of the charter school. The state classifies it as a " K-12 New Century Public Charter School".[2]
Demographics
[edit]In 2016, there were 54 students, with about 50% being native speakers of Niihau Hawaiian, and with all 54 students being from Niihau. Many of the students are members of the same families. 95% of the students were native Niihau speakers in 2004.[1]
In 2017, there were three teachers for preschool and two other teachers.[3]
Curriculum
[edit]Secondary courses are taught in English and elementary courses are taught in the Niihau language.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Hitt, Christine (2016-05-12). "Keepers of the Flame: How cultural practitioners are preserving Niihau's unique traditions". Hawai'i Magazine. aio Media. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
- ^ "History". Niihau School of Kekaha. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ^ McCracken, David (2017-04-02). "Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha Public Charter School works to save language, culture". The Garden Island. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
External links
[edit]- Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha Learning Center
- Ke Kula Ni'ihau O Kekaha Learning Center - Hawaii Public Charter School Commission
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