ʻOnipaʻa students spend summer preparing for college

ʻOnipaʻa students playing kōnane during the Summer Bridge program’s teamwork and perseverance day activities.

This summer, incoming UH West Oʻahu freshman students from Nānākuli High School, Wai‘anae High School, and Kamaile Academy participated in the UH West Oʻahu ʻOnipaʻa program. Funded by a U.S. Department of Education Title III Kealaikahiki Native Hawaiian grant, the ʻOnipaʻa program allows students to earn college credit while learning about campus resources, practicing college success skills, and building relationships with fellow students, UH West Oʻahu faculty, and staff. As part of the program, students participate in a six-week paid, on-campus internship with a University department and take a one-credit Summer Bridge course.

The objective of the Onipaʻa (steadfast) program is to maintain the academic momentum of high school graduates from the Wai‘anae Coast and encourage them to enroll at a community college or university for the fall semester following their high school graduation. Incoming freshmen who have been accepted to UH West Oʻahu, meet with faculty, staff, and peers throughout the summer, who help prepare the students for successful academic careers.

ʻOnipaʻa students celebrating at the end of the summer social event.