Stories from Three Native Hawaiian Alaka‘i about the Education of Young Children

The stories of three alaka'i wahine (Native Hawaiian women leaders) who are involved with cultural and linguistic early education environments that promote family and child interaction are featured here. Through interviews and interactions their stories and work are highlighted for stakeholders to glean from lessons they have learned. This work is framed through the lens of (re)imagining educational systems for Native Hawaiian children to experience education that is congruent with their heritage, their family, and their cultural ways of being. Contextualizing the experiences and wisdom of these island leaders' voices, this weaving of stories highlights the significance of native ideas in pedagogy, relationship building, multi-generational contexts, and relevant educational structures within early childhood settings which may be recognized by many Indigenous communities.