Two years ago, a group of eleven Island Pacific Academy students took their class project to new heights by creating a stunning patterned fabric and a line of custom aloha wear in an impressive display of creativity and collaboration. The Grade 5 students, who are now in Grade 7, were encouraged to embrace their project-based learning as a means of fostering real-world problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and a growth mindset.
E huakaʻi pū kākou – Let’s journey together
The journey for these Navigators began in their ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi class with U’ilani Reynolds, Elementary ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi teacher. Their project was to design a unique print especially for Island Pacific Academy. The team was tasked with creating four separate designs based on the concepts of ʻāina (land), Navigators (students), ʻohana (family), and values.
With guidance from their teachers and experts in the community, the students delved into the world of art, culture, symbolism, and meaning through design. They brainstormed ideas and concepts that resonated with IPA’s core values of kindness, generosity of spirit, ingenuity, excellence, and growth mindset.
Ke Ala – The Path
Drawing inspiration from the Hawaiian concept of “Ke Ala,” meaning “the path,” the students final design is a union of the four concepts, combined together as one encompassing moʻolelo (story) of what makes IPA a special place.
As the students explained in their description of the four design elements, “Our ʻāina is Honouliuli, ʻEwa, Oʻahu. The ‘āina acknowledges that where we come from is just as important as who we are. Honoring our ʻāina honors our kūpuna who were here before us. Without our land we wouldn’t have the culture we celebrate today. Our Navigator design represents our journey through IPA and our lives. We navigate our own future and we can guide others through obstacles that stand in our way. And as navigators we always go forward, never backwards. Without the ʻohana, IPA would not be what it is today. We are all woven together and become a community. As we build relationships through our educational journey we find our support and our guidance. All of the many people that make up our ʻohana make IPA a special place. All of our values do come together and can be shared as one thought, Aloha, one of our 5 agreements. We know that each one of our IPA values is truly important and will guide us in our lives.”
The final design celebrates the unique moʻolelo of each students’ journey toward their destination, deeply rooted in their ʻāina and values, and surrounded by ʻohana as they journey forward. This idea of individual paths intertwining and diverging is reflected in their design’s intricate patterns and motifs, which, taken together, resemble waʻa (canoes) on the ocean, moving forward together in unity and harmony.
“The waʻa in the navigators portion of the design are surrounded by ʻohana. Like how we are guided and supported by so many people on our journey through life,” the students explained. “Everyone’s path is different and the importance of the journey is unique to every individual. This design truly represents who we are.”
Community Partnership Turns Concept into Reality
Their story doesn’t end there. IPA’s commitment to excellence and innovation inspired the students to collaborate with Tori Richard, a prestigious aloha wear company. Together, they turned their Ke Ala design into a reality, transforming it into a line of aloha wear that captures the essence of their creativity and vision. The Ke Ala apparel will become part of the school’s official uniform, as well as being sold to the public.
This remarkable two-year journey culminated with a student-led fashion show for parents on February 29, 2024, where the students proudly showcased their attire. This initiative not only highlights the power of project-based learning, but also underscores the importance of fostering creativity, collaboration, and innovation in education.
“It was such an honor to work with such a talented group of students and to see their vision come to life,” shared Reynolds. “Ke Ala is not just their story, but the story of all Island Pacific Academy Navigators.”
By providing students with opportunities to explore, create, and collaborate, Island Pacific Academy empowers them to become lifelong learners and changemakers in their communities. And in the case of these Grade 5 students, their journey serves as a shining example of the transformative power of education rooted in kindness, innovation, creativity, and a commitment to excellence.
View their feature of HI Now Daily on Hawai’i News Now (03/12/24)
