Teachers participating in the immersion program get some hands on experience. (Photo courtesy of Traci Sylva)

MEDIA RELEASE / Newswise

Hawaii’s strong farming history and its indigenous people’s relationships to aina (the land) and ohana (immediate and extended family) provide the landscape for an experiment in culturally relevant learning.

Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa transformed an agricultural and environmental science professional development course for K–12 teachers to strengthen the community of educators and build stronger connections between science and culture. The results are reported in the 2010 edition of the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, published by the American Society of Agronomy.

The researchers’ goal was to help teachers incorporate important topics related to the environmental and agriculture science fields into their curricula, and to make that content relevant to their students’ lives and backgrounds, especially those of native Hawaiian decent.

Hawaiian ways of learning are experience-based and highly interpersonal, and the course was developed to build a “community of practice,” among the teachers.

According to Traci Sylva of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a community of practice is a “group of people who share a concern or passion for something they do, and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.”

The first two years of the course consisted of short instructional summer classes, with teachers incorporating projects into their curriculum during the school year. For the third year, the course was transformed to include a five-day immersion program at a remote location.

Participants spent their time working together, learning from experienced instructors and experts in agricultural and environmental science, as well as Hawaiian culture. Science terminology and concepts, such as the nitrogen cycle and ecosystem and species interaction, were presented in ways to connect them to familiar Hawaiian practices.

Teachers who participated in the transformed course reported that they had more confidence in their ability to make culture-science connections, and that their understanding of the concepts improved. Interpersonal relationships between teachers and instructors were also much improved over the previous two years.

Teachers report that student participation and satisfaction had improved with the project-based learning projects such as beach and park clean-ups.

Hawaiian classrooms do not need to be the only beneficiaries of culturally relevant learning. Unique cultures, environments and traditions exist across the country. The researchers conclude that problem-based lessons and activities should include model lessons and projects that engage the learners with knowledgeable people in their field. For teachers, this makes them more knowledgeable and comfortable in exploring the relationship between science and culture.

Funding for the project was funded by the Agriculture-Based Remediation Program, U.S. Department of Defense, and USDA, and the third year (and beyond) was funded with a grant from the Native Hawaiian Education program called Malama I Ka Aina (Caring for the land) under the U.S. Department of Education.

— Find out more:
Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education: www.jnrlse.org
American Society of Agronomy: www.agronomy.org

MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii pledges to significantly increase college completion rates by 2020

HONOLULU – Signifying its intent to take the bold action necessary to increase college completion rates, Hawai‘i has joined with the national nonprofit organization Complete College America to set degree goals and develop and implement aggressive state and campus-level action plans to meet those goals.

For states and the country to be competitive, six of 10 adults between the ages of 25 and 35 will need to hold a postsecondary degree or credential of value in the labor market by 2020. The University of Hawai‘i will lead the state’s participation in Complete College America in its national effort to achieve this goal.

“Hawai‘i has a unique integrated system of public higher education and participation in Complete College America fits in line perfectly with our efforts to ensure access, affordability and success in higher education for Hawai‘i’s students,” said UH President M.R.C. Greenwood. “This opportunity also supports initiatives we have already established, including our Hawai‘i Graduation Initiative announced last month that is aimed at increasing the number of college degrees awarded by 25 percent by the year 2015.”

Hawai‘i, along with 16 other states, form the Complete College Alliance of states, a select group of leading states committed to significantly increasing the number of students successfully completing college and closing attainment gaps for traditionally underserved populations. States currently in the Alliance in addition to Hawai‘i include Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia.

“Hawai‘i’s economic future depends upon our state being able to transition to a skills-based economy,” said Governor Linda Lingle. “Despite limited resources at this time, we are committed to innovation and improvement in our public education system and to aligning our economic, workforce development and education policies to achieve better outcomes for our students and our state. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in Complete College America.”

As part of the initiative, UH President M.R.C. Greenwood will lead a team of leaders to advance the Complete College America policy agenda and to coordinate local initiatives within the Complete College America agenda. In addition to Greenwood, the Hawai‘i team members include:

• John Morton, vice president for community colleges, University of Hawai‘i;
• Brother Bernie Ploeger, president, Chaminade University;
• Ted Liu, director, Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism;
• Senator Jill Tokuda, chair, Hawai‘i State Senate Committee on Higher Education
• Representative Jerry Chang, chair, Hawai‘i House of Representatives Committee on Higher Education;
• Kathryn Matayoshi, interim superintendent of schools, Hawai‘i Department of Education;
• James Hardway, executive director, Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council; and
• Tammi Chun, executive director, Hawai‘i P-20.

Complete College America will provide Hawai‘i with in-depth technical support from America’s leading experts on improving college success, including assistance in building consensus for reform, developing policy action plans, guidance on applying for and effectively using federal funding to produce more degrees, and annual networking opportunities.

Five national foundations are providing multi-year support to Complete College America, including the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Lumina Foundation for Education.

“The long-term economic growth of any state is tied to the educational attainment of its citizens,” said Stan Jones, president of Complete College America. “States like Hawai‘i are taking the lead in addressing this serious national issue head on. The implications of ‘business as usual’ are too great not to act. That’s why the leadership taken by Governor Lingle and UH President M.R.C. Greenwood will have such a profound impact in Hawai‘i and beyond.”

For more information about Complete College America, visit www.completecollege.org

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The Regents Candidate Advisory Council (RCAC) will begin the recruitment process to fill a vacancy for a County of Hawai‘i seat on the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents following the resignation of Hilo businessman Harvey Tajiri. The term of appointment for the vacant seat runs through June 30, 2013.

For more information on how to apply or to nominate a candidate, visit the RCAC website at www.hawaii.edu/rcac or call (808) 692-1218. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2010.

Members of the UH Board of Regents as well as the Regents Candidate Advisory Council, who represent various constituent groups, serve voluntarily and are not paid.

The Regents Candidate Advisory Council of the University of Hawai‘i identifies candidates for the university system’s governing Board of Regents. The council presents pools of qualified candidates to the governor of Hawai‘i from which candidates are nominated and, with the consent of the state senate, appointed by the governor. The advisory council was created by Act No. 56 of the 2007 Session Laws of Hawai‘i.

(Reader Opinions Disclaimer: This column allows members of the community to share their opinions and views, which do not necessarily reflect those of Hawaii 24/7, its staff, sponsors or anyone other than the writer. Hawaii 24/7 reserves the right to refuse any column deemed to be misinformation, of an unethical nature, a personal attack, or a blatant commercial pitch.)

By Ken Love

An open letter to the Chancellors of the University of Hawaii at Manoa:

I venture to say that most of the residents in the North and South Kona districts on the Big Island would find it unconscionable that no replacements are being hired for the University of Hawaii Kona Extension office (CES). The residents of Kona deserve equity and balance, especially when considering what we contribute to the state, island and university.

Within the past few months, the CES has lost it’s extension agent who was responsible for helping our community with growing and marketing of Kona Coffee, macadamia nuts and tropical fruit.

We’ve lost the office manager causing the few remaining personnel to be forced to fulfill tasks that have never been nor should be their responsibility. This affects the community meetings and frequent educational lectures held at the CES office.

We’ve lost our Kona based agricultural economist who has repeatedly helped many growers with cost of production studies. This void will be very detrimental to the sustainability of small farms in Kona.

Three salaries that will not have to be paid yet we cannot get one
replacement! Other CES offices have multiple extension agents and specialists for their crops.

Not hiring an agent for Kona coffee and fruit crops, where growers work with one of the states most important crops in one of the states most important tourism areas is tantamount to total abandonment by the University. It shows a complete lack of thought and understanding by the UH system. Those who complained in the past feel receiving simplistic form letters citing lack of funding is just not enough.

The University of Hawaii needs to re-evaluate and prioritize production
agriculture. Isn’t agriculture a main component of a Land Grant University?

Kona growers deserve no more than any other growers in the state but we do demand the same level of assistance given other areas. Is all this talk of
island sustainability simply lip service? To refocus on what the community feels is important like production agriculture to feed the population locally grown produce should be paramount.

If we, the local population are going to move collectively into the future then our focus must change. If we are going to continue to look to UH in a leadership position then it damn well better be a leader in areas needed by the population and not the special interests.

If you, the chancellors, are the leaders of the University of Hawaii then you must refocus and prioritize the needs of the community you serve.

MEDIA RELEASE

Step Up, a Hawaii public-school program that encourages students in the 8th and 9th grades to earn the Board of Education’s Step Up (Recognition) Diploma, starting with the class of 2013 has extended its pledge deadline.

Ninth grade students can submit their pledge forms through March 15, 2010, and 8th grade students can submit their pledge forms through May 31, 2010.

Students sign a Step Up pledge form, along with their parents, to signify their commitment to earn the BOE Step Up Diploma, which includes more rigorous requirements than the regular high school diploma in science, math and English, as well as the completion of a senior project. This diploma has been designed to prepare students for success upon graduation from high school, whether they choose to enroll in college or enter the workforce.

Students who pledge to earn this diploma receive a number of benefits, including information on college preparation and financial aid, and invitations to college-prep events throughout their years in high school.

Upon graduation, students who earn the BOE Step Up Diploma are rewarded with special incentives, such as special consideration for scholarships, admission into Hawaii colleges and job application advancement with various employers.

To date, more than 1,000 students from 44 schools statewide have stepped up by submitting a pledge form, however, many more students have yet to make the pledge. The deadline to submit pledges has been extended in an attempt to collect more forms and to prepare many more of Hawaii’s students for career and college success.

To learn more about Step Up and to download information and a pledge form, visit: www.stepuphawaii.org.

Step Up is a program of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, a statewide partnership led by the Good Beginnings Alliance, the state Department of Education and the University of Hawaii System. Hawaii P-20’s partners share a sense of urgency about the need to improve Hawaii’s educational outcomes in an increasingly global economy, and have established a goal of 55 percent of Hawaii’s working age adults having a two- or four-year college degree by 2025.

— Find out more:
www.p20hawaii.org

MEDIA RELEASE

Opening enrollment for the University of Hawaii System for the spring 2010 semester reached an all-time record of 55,761 students, the highest spring enrollment in the institution’s history.

UH spring enrollment has increased for a third straight year, and all 10 campuses experienced increases.

“Our record high enrollment shows that the public continues to turn to higher education as a way to improve themselves and their opportunities during these difficult economic times. The University of Hawaii provides an excellent education at a great value, and our campuses are doing everything they can to accommodate the demand for their services despite limited resources,” said Linda Johnsrud, UH vice president for academic planning and policy.

UH’s preliminary opening credit enrollment figures for spring 2010 increased by 4,809 students, or 9.4 percent, compared to spring 2009, and by 7,515 students, or 15.6 percent, compared to spring 2008.

UH Manoa posted a slight increase of 2.8 percent, or 518 students, from a comparable date in spring 2009 for a total enrollment of 19,286 students. The other nine campuses experienced a wide range of increases from 5.1 percent to 24.3 percent.

UH-Hilo’s opening spring enrollment stands at 3,864 students, a 5.1 percent gain (187 students) over last spring, while UH West Oahu’s enrollment is at 1,278 students, an increase of 11.5 percent (132 students) from the previous year.

Enrollment at the UH community colleges rose to 31,333, an increase of 3,972 students, or 14.5 percent, above spring 2009. Kapiolani Community College posted the largest numerical gain of any UH campus with 880 more students than last year, while Windward Community College boasts the largest percentage growth in enrollment at 24.3 percent.

Specific figures for the community college campuses are:

* Hawaii Community College stands at 3,252 students, an increase of 14 percent or 400 students;

* Honolulu Community College registered 4,494 students, an increase of 481 students or 12 percent;

* Kapiolani Community College enrolled 8,782 students, a gain of 880 or 11.1 percent;

* Kauai Community College recorded 1,346 students, a 21.6 percent increase or 239 students;

* Leeward Community College has 7,076 students enrolled, an increase of 752 students or 11.9 percent;

* Maui Community College registered 4,078 students, a gain of 769 or 23.2 percent; and

* Windward Community College recorded 2,305 students, a gain of 451 or 24.3 percent.

Separately, more than 27,000 registrations in non-credit programs are expected throughout the UH System.

For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu/offices/app/openenroll

MEDIA RELEASE

Statement released Tuesday, Dec. 29 from the University of Hawaii administration:

“We strongly disagree with UHPA’s allegation that today’s action implementing the administration’s final formal offer is a ‘breach of contract.;

The University of Hawaii is following the law.

UHPA is in error in their interpretation of the language of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Former Justice Mario Ramil issued a very narrow ruling and only stated that the CBA between UH and UHPA continued during negotiations for a new contract. After 15 months of negotiations, the parties are at impasse under State law and thus, there are no more negotiations.

The CBA clearly states that the negotiations for renewal of a contract ’shall be as provided by law.’

With negotiations at an impasse, and no resolution to the budget crisis, we must move forward with the implementation of our final formal offer.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents and President M.R.C. Greenwood today announced that the salary reductions proposed for UH faculty in the final formal offer to the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA) will be implemented Jan. 1, 2010.

The administration’s formal written offer of Sept. 15, 2009 called for a temporary 5 percent salary reduction during a new two-year contract. This offer was rejected by UHPA.

UHPA instead proposed a new four-year contract with a temporary 5 percent pay reduction in the first two years, followed by restoration to current salary levels plus a 7.5 percent salary increase in the third year and then an additional 7.5 percent increase in the fourth year. Negotiations are at impasse.

In separate letters to UHPA and members of the faculty, UH President Greenwood said the administration is implementing its Sept. 15 offer. Because it is being implemented over the shorter 18-month period, the temporary 5 percent salary reduction proposed for 24 months will be taken as a 6.667 percent temporary reduction over 18 months.

Greenwood said the administration decided to implement its final formal offer in order to sustain operations through the rest of this fiscal year and next. The university’s clerical and administrative, professional and technical staff, represented by HGEA, previously ratified new contracts that include equivalent temporary 5 percent salary reductions over the current two-year biennium.

While Greenwood supports salary increases for faculty, she noted that “until the economy improves and UH funding is stabilized, we simply do not have the money to meet the expectations of UHPA.”

The temporary salary reduction will not affect faculty members paid through non-appropriated funds, such as extramural contracts and grants. It will also not affect faculty members who retire before June 30, 2010.

“I remain committed to working with the leadership of UHPA and the faculty to reach a mutually acceptable settlement that responsibly addresses the university’s critical economic challenges and the longer term need for competitive faculty salaries,” Greenwood said.

— Find out more:

www.hawaii.edu/offices/op/2009/1228-salary.html

MEDIA RELEASE

Two new initiatives at the University of Hawaii are designed to better serve students who transfer between the two year and four year campuses.

A new automatic admission and reverse transfer procedure aims to improve degree attainment in the state and allow the UH campuses to work together to help students achieve their academic goals.

Proposed by UH Manoa, and enthusiastically endorsed by the other campuses, the procedural changes will be implemented in spring 2010.

The admission standards at UH remain unchanged, but these procedural changes will expedite a student’s ability to enroll and to finish a degree program. Automatic admission will admit a graduate from one of the seven community colleges to one of the three baccalaureate campuses.

For community college students who transfer before receiving a degree, reverse transfer will lead to a credit review to determine if they have earned their associate’s degree.

“These exciting initiatives will allow students to move from community colleges to baccalaureate-degree granting campuses much more easily and seamless than before,” says Reed Dasenbrock, vice chancellor for academic affairs at UH Manoa. “We know that an increasing number of students who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree are starting at a community college, and we need to help them complete higher education with the degrees they hope and expect to earn.”

Linda Johnsrud, vice president for academic planning and policy for the UH System commented, “The younger generations in Hawaii (25 to 34 year olds) are not as well educated as the older generations (35 to 44, and 45 to 54 year olds). Reversing this trend is critical to the future of Hawaii, and these initiatives will help increase the number of educated citizens in the state.”

The university will utilize its STAR system, which records all of the student’s course data, to identify those graduating each semester from a community college and eligible for automatic admission into one of the system’s three baccalaureate-granting campuses.

The student will be notified that they have been admitted to the baccalaureate campus of their choice. To ease the transition, UH will also waive the application fee, allow for priority registration, and analyze student transcripts to help identify likely major(s).

In addition to automatic admission, the university will also identify students who transferred to a baccalaureate campus from a community college before receiving their associate’s degree.

Reverse transfer will provide an option for students to be awarded their associate’s degree as they progress toward their bachelor’s degree. If for any reason, they choose not to finish, they will have their associates degree in hand. Receiving one degree may also encourage them to continue their course of studies.

Spearheaded by UH Manoa, the goal of these procedures is for the ten UH campuses to collaborate to produce quality graduates and to help students realize their dreams.

MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU – The University of Hawaii’s 10 campuses will be officially closed to the public Dec. 21 – 31, 2009. The closure is in accordance with the collective bargaining settlement and to reduce energy costs to meet the budget shortfall.

Certain critical or time sensitive functions or specialized facilities, such as research laboratories, will continue to operate. Athletic events will also be held as scheduled.

For more information, visit hawaii.edu/news/closures.html

MEDIA RELEASE

Online applications and information are now available for the University of Hawaii Regents and Presidential Scholarships for students with outstanding academic records who are residents of the Hawaii.

The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2010. The online application includes a resume section, personal statement and recommendation forms.  All supporting materials must be postmarked by the deadline.

The Regents Scholarship provides 20 entering freshmen attending any UH campus with a tuition waiver and a $2,000 stipend each semester for four consecutive years of undergraduate study, and the opportunity to apply for a one-time, maximum $2,000 travel grant.

Selection is based on a combined SAT score of 1950 on all three sections of the test, or ACT combined score of at least 29, a 3.5 high school GPA, academic co-curricular activities, community service, superior academic achievement, or creative endeavors. Scholarship applicants must apply and be accepted to a UH campus.

The Presidential Scholarship recognizes the outstanding achievements of 10 undergraduate college juniors within the UH System. The scholarship provides a tuition waiver and a $2,000 stipend each semester for two consecutive years of undergraduate study at any UH baccalaureate campus, and the opportunity to apply for a one-time, maximum $2,000 travel grant.

Qualifications are based on a minimum cumulative 3.7 GPA for all college work, superior academic achievement or creative endeavors, academic co-curricular and community service activities in college, and junior standing at the commencement of award.

For more information, contact the UH Vice President for Student Affairs office on Oahu at (808) 956-8753 or Barbara Bostwick at UH Hilo, 974-7619, or bostwick@hawaii.edu.

The online application and information are available at www.hawaii.edu/offices/studentaffairs/scholarships/raps-overview.php

Video by David Corrigan | Big Island Video News

The Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan’s (CMP) public access and decommissioning sub-plans were presented at a series of open houses across the Big Island. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Baron Sekiya)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

The final two sub-plans of the Comprehensive Management Plan for Mauna Kea are nearing completion, and the last chance to review them is Thursday in Kona.

The Office of Mauna Kea Management is hosting the third and final open house 4:30-7 p.m. at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. The first was Tuesday in Hilo.

The plans also were on display Wednesday in Waimea, with OMKM director Stephanie Nagata on hand to answer questions.

“Mauna Kea is a public resource and we are responsible for making sure the mountain is open to the public,” Nagata said. “We are very in tune with the community and want to do what is right for the whole community and the mountain.”

Nagata said her office was directed to develop four sub-plans as part of the Comprehensive Management Plan that was approved in April by the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

The first two management plans – for natural resources and for cultural resources – have been completed, although they still need the final OK from the BLNR. All four must be submitted by April 2010.

The Comprehensive Management Plan addresses multiple land uses for the state’s conservation district on Mauna Kea. Within that district is the 11,288-acre Mauna Kea Science Reserve, which is leased by the University of Hawaii.

The OMKM charged with the day-to-day management of the reserve and reports directly to UH-Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng. Its primary goals are to protect, preserve and enhance cultural and natural resources, and monitor recreational and scientific activities.

Nagata said the office also has made it a priority to engage the community, including those who does not trust the university and believe it did not do a good job of previously managing the mountain..

“More people have become involved because they are uncertain how this might impact them,” Nagata said, noting OMKM board meetings are open to the public and the minutes are publicly available.

Upon its creation in 2000, the office established a ranger program that helps educate visitors, provides first aid and monitors commercial activity.

Currently, five rangers patrol the science reserve from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. in an effort to protect people, as well as the mountain’s cultural and natural resources.

OMKM, together with Kahu Ku Mauna, is working with the community in developing cultural resource protection strategies that respect Hawaiian practices and beliefs while complying with state law. (Photo courtesy of OMKM)

Public Access Plan

This plan sets guidelines, principles and policies for public access for the general population and Native Hawaiians.

“We are not against people practicing their cultural rights, but there is a process,” she said. “Mauna Kea is a conservation district.”

Nagata said this part of the CMP has drawn the most interest, as many residents were uncertain how the university planned to manage public access.

“The big fear is about hunting and mandatory orientation,” Nagata said.

There will be no restrictions on hunting practices, which are governed by other bodies, and at this time, the office does not see a need for mandatory orientation.

Instead, the OMKM rangers will continue to educate mountain visitors and monitor activity. This year, the state Legislature gave OMKM the authority to enforce rules within the reserve.

More specific rules and regulations will be drawn up after the BLNR approves the Public Access Plan.

The plan tenets include: health and safety, education, traditional and customary rights, adaptive management; and management methods and authority.

Under the plan, management decisions will be based on reliable data and adapted as lessons are learned. Also, management control methods will range from encouraging personal accountability and responsibility to controlling certain user groups by permit to calling in sworn law enforcement officers.

“We recognize several levels of enforcement are available to us,” Nagata said. “And we would look to use the lowest levels first.”

Last year, more than 100,000 people trekked up the mountain, including scientists and observatory support staff; visitors (both local and tourists); hunters, hikers, skiers and other recreational users; Hawaiian cultural practitioners; media crews; and regular commercial tour operators.

Decommissioning Plan for Mauna Kea Observatories

This plan establishes the process for removal of observatories and restoration of their sites.

“It really establishes a framework for the observatories and gives assurances of clear expectations,” Nagata said.

Under the plan, observatories would be required to specify how decommissioning would be funded.

The 525-acre astronomy precinct is the designated area for large-scale telescopes.

The first chance to test the decommissioning process will come in 2016, when the Cal Tech Observatory plans to shut down operations.

Currently, there are 13 observatoties situated on Hawaii’s tallest peack, although Nagata said the OMKM expects there to be 10 operating telescopes on Mauna Kea when the lease between DLNR and UH expires in 2033.

While some telescopes could be replaced by new developments, she said, “there likely will never be more than 10.”

— Find out more:

www.malamamaunakea.org

Stephanie Nagata, director of Office of Mauna Kea Management, gives a summary of the latest plans. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Baron Sekiya)