‘In complete shock’: Kapolei Middle School Hawaiian language immersion program cut due to teacher vacancies

KAPOLEI (HawaiiNewsNow) – Parents and community members are searching for alternatives after the Hawaii State Department of Education cut the Kaiapuni Hawaiian language immersion program at Kapolei Middle School, citing an inability to fill two teaching positions before the start of the school year.

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In a July 6 letter, principal Daryl Agena informed parents the program would not continue, writing that “over the past several weeks, we have worked diligently to recruit qualified Kaiapuni teachers,” but that “both Kaiapuni teaching positions remain vacant, and we have not been able to secure qualified teachers in time for the start of the school year.”

Program served West Oahu students in 7th and 8th grade

The Kaiapuni Program at Kapolei Middle School allowed 7th and 8th grade students to take core classes in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

Advocates said the program enabled west side students to participate in Hawaiian language immersion while also taking part in HIDOE extracurricular activities such as sports and English-speaking electives.

Andrea Dias Machado, president of nonprofit Ke ʻAlohi ʻO ʻEwa, said enrollment in the program grew by 285 percent over three years, reaching 27 students.

“I was in complete shock,” Dias Machado said. “I couldn’t believe that after four years of growing the program.”

She added: “We have worked really hard with community to grow the school.”

HIDOE cites statewide shortage of qualified Kaiapuni teachers

In a statement, the HIDOE said “the school has not received applications from qualified candidates” and noted that “because Kaiapuni programs require licensed teachers who are fluent in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, these positions can be especially difficult to fill.”

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The department said there are 14 vacant Kaiapuni teacher positions statewide. The HIDOE is encouraging candidates to apply at hawaiischooljobs.org.

The HIDOE offered parents three options: remain at Kapolei Middle School without immersion instruction, continue immersion through distance learning, or transfer to an available immersion program with the closest in Pālolo or Nānākuli.

Family to commute from Pearl City to Nānākuli

Parent Keshia Alakaʻi said her son, Laʻakea, who made the honor roll and will be in 8th grade, faced the prospect of being held back and placed in a special education class if he stayed in the district because English is not his primary language.

“So the next thing was like, what are we going to do?” Keshia Alakaʻi said.

The Alakaʻi family, who live in Pearl City, said they will commute to Ka Waihona o ka Na’auao Public Charter School Nānākuli so their son can continue learning ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

“For us, it’s very important to regain a language that was forbidden to speak,” said parent Kaipo Alakaʻi.

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Dias Machado said Ke ʻAlohi ʻO ʻEwa is rallying support on its Instagram page.