ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Hālau Lamakū is ʻImiloa's Student Enrichment Program, designed to support students in grades K–5 by offering a place-based curriculum. 

The program is centered around the concept of "Lamakū," which means "light" or "enlightenment," symbolizing the journey of learning, knowledge, and understanding. Through Hālau Lamakū, young explorers will engage in a variety of enriching activities, such as arts and crafts, games, outdoor exploration, and observations—all rooted in Hawaiian culture, science, and art.

FUTURE PROGRAMS

Hālau Lamakū is held during the three major Department of Education (DOE) intersession breaks: Spring, Summer, and Fall. These sessions, running from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, offer students the opportunity to engage in enriching, hands-on learning experiences during school breaks, helping them connect with nature and build valuable skills in a supportive environment.

• Fall - October 6-10, 2025

• Spring - March 16-20, 2026

• Summer 2026

Please note that the dates are tentative and subject to change

A day in the  life of a Hālau Lamakū Participant

8:00 am-8:50 am | Participant Drop-Off/Activities/Free Play

8:50 am – 9:00 am | Hālau Lamakū Safety/Behavior/COVID Safety Expectations

9:00 am – 9:30 am | Hana Noʻeau (Art-based Project)

9:30 am – 9:40 am | Hoʻopau Pilikia (Bathroom)

9:40 am – 10:00 am | Mea ʻAi Māmā ( Snack)

10:00 am-10:30 am | Haʻawina (Mini Lesson)

10:30 am – 11:10 am | Wā Pāʻani (Outdoor Play)

11:10 am –11:50 pm | ʻAina Awakea (Lunch)

11:50 am –12:00 pm | Hoʻopau Pilikia (Bathroom)

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Haʻawina Nui (Main Lesson)

1:00 pm – 1:40 pm | Wā Pāʻani (Outdoor Play)

1:40 pm – 1:50 pm | Hoʻopau Pilikia (Bathroom)

1:50 pm – 2:10 pm | Mea ʻAi Māmā ( Snack)

2:10 pm – 2:40 pm | Hana Kime (Team Building)

2:40 pm - 3:00 pm | Participant Pack-up/Indoor Play

3:00 pm | Participant Pick-Up

‘ŌPAʻA HAʻAWINA (Education Layout)

Each day, students have four different lessons, each unique and designed to foster a diverse set of skills, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

HANA NOʻEAU (Art-based work)

An art-based project primarily centers on creative expression through various forms of art. This can include visual arts like painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, or even performance arts like dance, theater, or music. The goal is usually to produce a finished piece of art that showcases the student's creativity, technique, and understanding of artistic principles.

HAʻAWINA (Mini Lesson)

A hands-on learning experience that involves a variety of activities. It may include mele (song) and oli (chant), hands-on projects like crafting, building, or designing, and art activities such as painting or sculpture. Storytelling or story time gives students the opportunity to engage with or create their own stories. This unit combines creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills in an interactive way.

HANA KIME (Work done as a team)

This unit could involve either team-building activities designed to improve communication, trust, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, or physical and interactive activities that incorporate kinesthetic learning, requiring physical movement or hands-on engagement to make the learning experience more dynamic through tasks and challenges that engage students actively.

HAʻAWINA NUI (Main Lesson)

This  unit is a focused learning module, usually lasting about 60 minutes, that centers around a specific topic or theme. It is designed to guide students in exploring related concepts and skills. These units often take a place-based approach, connecting lessons to the local environment or community. In some cases, students may not have any prior knowledge of the subject matter, so the unit is structured to build foundational understanding while engaging students actively. The aim is to provide a meaningful learning experience that aligns with educational objectives and standards.