Join the E Ola Campaign

Growing Pono Schools News Release

Are you part of a group who has done a project or activity to improve your school or community this school year?  If so, consider joining the E Ola Pono Campaign by May 15 so your efforts can be acknowledged and your group becomes eligible for a monetary award.

The E Ola Pono Campaign is in its seventh year of encouraging student led initiatives in grades K-12 to proactively work to eliminate bullying and promote the concept of living pono, defined as acting with respect toward everyone and everything.

Campaign sponsors ask groups to submit documentation and a brief reflection about their activity by the mid May deadline. Judges will then select exemplary E Ola Pono Campaigns in elementary, middle/intermediate, and high school divisions.  Awards range from $250 to $1000.00.

During the 2011-2012 campaign, Kualapu`u Elementary Public Conversion Charter School won when Diane Abraham’s fourth grade class was recognized for their Molokai Keiki Malama Ka `Aina beach cleanup of Dixie Maru Beach. They researched the biodegradability of all the rubbish and published articles about their campaign in The Molokai Dispatch.

Information about the E Ola Pono Campaign as well as resources to support teaching about living pono can be found at growingponoschools.com.  Questions can be sent to GPS Project staff members Randee Golden at rgolden808@gmail.com or Sara Ka`imipono Banks at sarabanks@hawaii.rr.com.

This project is sponsored by UH Manoa’s Center on Disability Studies, Growing Pono Schools Project, a federally funded education initiative.  A culture and place based character education curriculum geared for Hawaii’s fourth through 12th grade students is also available at this website, along with other video and internet resources to help youth learn about living pono.