Lauhuki is a comprehensive Native Hawaiian family-based early education center which acknowledges the family as the foundation upon which a child is reared, fosters positive values and morals and strengthens ties within the unique Hawaiian Homeland community of Keaukaha.

Education is greatly enhanced through Hawaiian cultural experiences within the preschool sector and the prenatal area of care supports families participating in culture-based counseling, workshops and home visits.

Goals for Lauhuki

• Nurture the total development of the young child.
• Bridge relationships between home, school and community.
• Strengthen Hawaiian cultural ties through music, art, language, dance, history, family, land/sea and health.
• Utilize natural environment, cultural practitioners and the expertise and knowledge of our elders to provide meaningful and successful learning for children and their families.
  

The Lauhuki - La‘ahana Connection

An old Hawaiian story tells us that Lauhuki and La‘ahana were the daughters of Ma‘ikohā, a chief god of kapa makers. The art of kapa making demanded patience and diligence; these traits taught to the daughters by their father. Kapa, the cloth of the Hawaiian people, was made from the fibrous inner bark of the wauke (paper mulberry) tree.

Lauhuki was taught the art of gathering and preparing the bark that was pounded until it was soft and pliable like fabric. Lauhuki literally means “turn leaf; to change or start anew”. La‘ahana took the craft of kapa making to a higher, more refined level. Her kapa beaters were carved with intricate designs that were imprinted into the kapa; natural dyes were also used.

Their kapa were of the finest quality and were highly treasured. This story is an appropriate inspiration for the development of the Lauhuki and Ke Ana La‘ahana programs because patience and diligence is, indeed, needed to educate our youth.

Applications are available at the Preschool at 1500 Kalaniana‘ole Avenue, Hilo, Hawai‘i or by calling (808) 961-5242.