Empowering The Youth Of Palolo Valley
Over the past 15 years, the ʻIolani School KAʻI Programs have deeply committed to improving life outcomes for hundreds of under-resourced, first-generation youth from Pālolo Valley through high-quality education programs and deep, long term support from preschool through postsecondary education. Since 2010, KAʻI has grown as a community partnership between ʻIolani School and Pālolo Valley to include the KAʻI Keiki Early Childhood Education Program, the KAʻI Elementary Program, the KAʻI Middle & High School Program, the KA‘I Tutoring Program, and the KAʻI Postsecondary Program, all at no cost to participants.
Today, 97% of our KAʻI Program students have graduated from high school and 85% have gone on to pursue postsecondary degrees. Through a single community focus on Pālolo Valley, the KA‘I programs have been able to build strong partnerships within the community, respond to needs as they arise, and have educational outcomes that far exceed state and national averages.
Recent Accomplishments
The KA'I Programs have made a significant, lasting impact on its students and families. Recent achievements include:
Expansion of programs to serve more students:
We currently serve 209 students through our Keiki, Elementary, Middle & High School, and Postsecondary programs. With the addition of our KA ‘I Elementary Program and our expanding Middle and High School KA‘I Program, we will serve 240 students each year from preschool through postsecondary education.
Early Childhood Learning & Preschool Enrollment:
We enrolled 100% of our KAʻI Keiki students ages 3 & 4 into a preschool for the 2024-25 school year
School Year Tutoring Support for Students:
So far this school year, our tutors have provided over 1,916 hours of tutoring for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Highly Improved High School Graduation:
Because of the long-term support that KAʻI students receive through the 6-summer program as well as the school year Tutoring Program, 97% of KAʻI students have graduated on time, far exceeding the statewide averages for economically-disadvantaged students.
College Matriculation & Persistence:
We currently support 35 students in postsecondary education with academic counseling and full tuition gap scholarships (a total of $265,000 for the 2024-25 school year)
Safety Net For Families:
Since the COVID_19 pandemic, we have provided more than $250,100 in emergency funds to ensure families remain stable in their homes, with a focus on assisting children who have lost one or both of their parents, as well as those facing medical crisis.
Testimonials
"Having the opportunity to seek higher education has been life-changing for me, and I am here because of KAʻI. I truly never thought that I would be sitting here pursuing a career path in Sociology, a field that I love, and learning new things without having to worry about financial struggles.”
Sancheryn (KAʻI Group 7), College sophomore, UH Hilo
“There is a tremendous need for the KAʻI Programs to be in our community to motivate our youth to love learning. The KAʻI Programs have made it possible for children at Pālolo Homes to dream the impossible.”
Dahlia Asuega, Pālolo Homes Resident Services Manager
“The KAʻI Program is the most comprehensive, wrap-around service program that I have experienced in my 34 years of working with educational programs. I have not come across any program near the depth of service that the KAʻI Program provides. More importantly, I have not come across any program with the success that the KAʻI Program has produced.”
Reid Kuba, Principal at Jarrett Middle School