The asynchronous courses will be underwritten for certain educators
Posted: July 22, 2024
Public school educators can participate in a new online program at Windward Community College to learn about Hawaiian music, integrate it into their student lessons, and earn professional development credits that can boost their salaries.
Educators in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education or at a public charter school are welcome to apply.
Kamuela Kimokeo, a professor at Windward Community College and the director of music for its Kaʻohekani Hawaiian music program says the school piloted a program with about 30 public school teachers this past year.
“It’s completely asynchronous. It’s open to people of all music levels,” Kimokeo said.
“Our mission, our goal, our idea was to try to find a way to help to reinsert music into our schools, even if there are not specific music programs happening,” he said.
“We created this music program. We offered it to these DOE teachers, and we are offering them another tool in their quiver. Music isn’t the answer to every educational issue. But it’s a great way to create engagement, especially with our local students. You know, they love music, and they tune into it,” added Kimokeo.
“The best part about this program for our DOE teachers is that they get to do a step reclassification, which is they can actually qualify to get a pay raise at the end of the program,” through the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, he added.
The year-long program provides each educator 24 professional development credits. A total of 15 credits are needed for salary reclassification.
“We’ve been focusing and working really hard to ensure that there are opportunities to help to subsidize the program so that those that are interested can be in the program,” and have their costs covered, Kimokeo said.
“We’ve been working specifically with local organizations who are willing to help to fund some of our DOE teachers who teach in the west side of Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Kauaʻi and east Hawaiʻi Island. So if you know a teacher from those parts of the state, have them reach out and let them know about this opportunity to learn Hawaiian music from some great musicians and to qualify for a pay raise,” he said.
The total cost for the Ka‘ohekani Hawaiian Music Certificate is typically $3,144, and there are partial scholarships available for educators from other parts of the state.
As of mid-July, 20 slots for educators remained available. The deadline to apply is Aug. 9 for the program that begins Aug. 26. Those interested should email Kimokeo (kamuelam@hawaii.edu) and Haʻaheo Pagan (paganj@hawaii.edu) for support and guidance in the application and registration process.
The program’s instructors are all award-winning singers, producers, and performers. They include Raiatea Helm, Jeff Peterson, Kapena De Lima, Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt, and Kimokeo himself.
This Hawaiian music cohort deepens participants’ understanding of Hawaiian music performance and history. Participants will learn how to improve their performance skills, use music in various educational settings, and how music can be a tool to connect with our island home. The first semester’s work focuses on music competency, such as how to play the ukulele. The second semester focuses more on applying Hawaiian music to teachers’ curricula.
Watch Kimokeo discuss the program on KITV’s Island Life Live.