Advocates for Native Hawaiian Education Since 1994

The marriage of these ideas, along with relationships in the funding world, led to the birth of our flagship programs, which established the foundation of INPEACE services.

The first program was Ka Lama O Ke Kaialulu, a “grow-your-own-teacher” model, where community members are recruited to become teachers in their own community schools.  This program supported individuals in pursuing college and a career in education, many of whom never dreamed of going to college.  Now, one of the longest standing “Grow Your Own” programs in the nation, Ka Lama would grow over the years to place hundreds of licensed, certified teachers into schools within their community.  Among the first graduates included Larrilyn Tamashiro, a Waiʻanae Coast resident and teacher who later became INPEACE’s board president, and Marci Waiʻaleʻale Sarsona, who became the second CEO of INPEACE.

Keiki Steps, the second program, was conceived by Michelle Mahuka, a young mother in the community who saw an ad on television about early childhood programs and wanted something for her child in her own community. Compelled by a passion to ensure that her son would be ready for school, Michelle approached the principal at Nānākuli Elementary about space to house a preschool program. She purchased supplies from local thrift shops and was willing to start her very own program with little else. Michelle’s story was heard by then-CEO, Sherlyn Franklin Goo, who sought and secured a grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to run educational programs. Together, the founders started the first parent participation preschools, one in Waimanalo operated and taught by Ka Lama graduate Marci Waiʻaleʻale Sarsona, and the second at Nānākuli Elementary taught by Michelle. Keiki Steps has since grown from one site under a tree to multiple sites across the State, on the islands of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, and Kaua‘i. The initial growth spurt came from the parents and grandparents at the Nānākuli site, expanding the program to other elementary schools. Today, Keiki Steps is built on a foundation of teaching parents to become their child’s teacher, and continues to intentionally recruit teaching staff from their parent population, supporting them in furthering their education in early childhood education and nurturing their potentials as educators in their communities.

Funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) for Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids (SPARK) began a new chapter in the life of INPEACE. This grassroots effort to help children prepare for school and schools to prepare for children was born out of a relationship based on a presentation Kathy and Sherlyn gave during a pre-session on native peoples at the Council on Foundations here in Hawaiʻi. Three entities in Hawaiʻi were asked to submit proposals to WKKF, and after lunch in Nānākuli, Program Officer Val Johnson saw exactly where the hearts and minds of our founders were when it came to community. SPARK jettisoned INPEACE statewide and allowed us to quadruple the numbers of participants we served and multiply our partnerships one hundred-fold.

Starting with one employee and $4,500 in the bank, INPEACE has grown statewide, serving more than 6,000 annually with nine programs operated by approximately 80 employees and an annual budget of over $5 million. Since 1994, we have employed more than 500 individuals, the majority of whom are Native Hawaiians from the community they serve.