Keiki O Ka ‘aina Family Learning Centers

Love everything the KOKA offers and am so happy that we discovered their program.
My son and I have been apart of their PPP and HIPPY Ohana for about a year. The staff are wonderful, knowledgable about Hawaiian culture and language and very accommodating.
We enjoy PPP and all of the excursions they plan every month.
We love the HIPPY program. As a mother of a preschooler, it’s a structured way to help my child academically without having to create my own lessons. My son has learned so much already from the curriculum and we looked forward to continuing it until he graduates from HIPPY.

Love what this organization is all about. Friendly staff and the location of this office is just beautiful. For a Waianae person like me I found it a little hard to find but its actually really easy to get to lol. Just follow Kalihi street till the end of the road after passing Kamehameha shopping center. It’s a nice size property with a few buildings on the premises. And the main office inside and out is really nice. Small parking lot but I found it No problem to find a parking space.
There are so many programs that this organization had to offer and I heard that there are classes you can take like papa ōlelo Hawai‘i and for other traditional Hawaiian practices. I’m really glad that there is an organization like this that offers help to the keiki and parents of Hawaii and that also continues and strengthens the Hawaiian people and culture. Check out their website to see all they got to offer.

I felt the mana today! I go to KOKA regularly to earn volunteer hours for my oldest son’s school scholarship. They offer volunteer work for PKS and Kipona recipient’s parents on a monthly basis. They have Hawaiian language, Lomilomi, Kalo pounding and many more classes. Visit their website to get more info. Today my sister and I went because we finally for the e-​mail for the orientation for the board and stone class. This is the class where you make your own papa ku’i’ai (board), pohaku (stone) and your ku’i (adze) for ponding kale and making pa’i ‘ai. It is a hard class to get into because it becomes so full so fast. This year they have over 300 people already registered with more on the way. This is proof to me that our Hawaiian people and other kama’aina want to get back to their roots and learn about our culture.
Today’s class was from 9 – 11 and it was an informative orientation to tell us what we would be learning and doing. They only have orientation for this class because it is so long and you have to be seriously committed to take it. The leader of the class, Mr. Kawa’a is just an awesome person. As he speaks to us in Hawaiian he also explains what he said in English but really instills the power in you about Hawaiian culture and methodology. Everything has a name and a meaning he said. And he involves everyone in the audience, especially the children. «No scolding here in my class,» he says. He wants the children to want to help and make their own stone and scolding them he says will make them not want to participate.
Being part Hawaiian I felt so empowered by this orientation and my sister and I are both going to go forward in committing ourselves and families to making these items for our future and our family’s future. This place is truly a blessing and I hope whether you are Hawaiian or not you will try at least one class here. They are mostly free or very inexpensive and they are many teachers their to help and share their mana’o (thoughts) with you. Hele mai (come here) and give it a try, ke’olu’olu (please)

Beautiful place. From the inside of the home/​office to the greenery all around you. I would come here for classes to fulfill my Pauahi Scholarship requirements. I always enjoyed myself.

Community family center offers a variety of childcare and education programs and integrates Hawaiian culture into all it’s curriculum.
I’m taking a 3 month family class where you can make a papa ku’i ‘ai (papa) board, to feed your family, for pounding poi or pai’i. It’s for native Hawaiian families and a way to live closer to your roots and learn the Hawaiian way.
It’s an amazing facility in the back of kalihi valley, also good energy (mana). Mahalo

Review for Location, Ambiance, the programs & the center:
***first off, the greatest things about KOKA… they implement the Hawaiian culture into all their programs so does Ho’oulu Aina which is just a 5 minute drive up the street from this location. just FYI.
LOCATION
In the back of Kalihi Valley located right on a turn about… you cant miss it since Extreme Home Makeover built the residence and the center for this non-​profit program. You’ll see that a team of students/​workers are building a Hawaiian hale (house) and they also have a child care center and a lo’i. Ample parking both in front the center and around the corner. you’ll see cars on the left side of the plantation style house. You won’t miss it. Nearby is the kalihi stream and at night its a nice sound to help you fall asleep… well that and the likelike highway. lol.
KOKA PPP
I registered my 3 month old and myself for KOKA PPP — Keiki O Ka Aina Parent Participation Preschool 2012 – 2013. It was $ 20 for the entire summer, Tuesdays & Thursday for 2 ½ hours. They actually rented a space at a church nearby to host these programs. Its called the center of light ministries and its right on my street. Kalaepaa Drive. Perfect! I can wake up late and walk 3 doors down. how awesome is that! anyways this program is made for infants 3 months to children 5 years old to help parents and children interact with others and to help parents become better influential educators for our children.
HEALTHY MARRIAGES
I also registered my husband and I for a program called Healthy Marriages. Its a 3 day retreat for married couples or couples who are in committed relationships. The program helps by improving your relationship with innovative and research supported by relationship curricula. I was also told this program is FREE, INCLUDES FREE CHILD CARE & FREE MEALS. What?! Really. I’m in. sign us up. The receptionist had mentioned that all programs implement the Hawaiian culture. If you know me, i am always down to immerse myself in my Hawaiian culture.
Since I recently registered and classes havent started just yet. I will be writing another post soon.

Does this place seem familiar? It’s because it is! They were one of the only homes here to be featured on that show. Extreme Makeover!
I have become quite a fan of Keiki O Ka’Aina deep in the gorgeous, lush valley of Kalihi. Why? They are a free resource that helps children, families and couples. whether it is parenting workshops, financial literacy workshops (highly suggest!), healthy marriage bonding. even down to learning how to build a traditional hale (on site!), and more! They definitely give back to the community.
For all of you needing community service or workshop hours for Kamehameha Schools. everyone should know. this is the go to place.
Try it, everyone here is very giving and kind.