Give children wings and roots - a feature of Pacific Heritage Academy

With aloha, BYU-Hawaii welcomed the Pacific Heritage Academy (PHA) on a sunny day. Ofa Kinikini Moea’i, the Executive Director and Founder of PHA, brought her 8^th grade students to present their researches to BYU-H regarding to vanishing cultures and climate change on February 8 in Stake Center.

This cultural-based charter school from Utah has a special connection with BYU-H. Moea’i used to be an administration and counseling on the campus of BYU-H. The other kumus (teachers), like Kaau Alapa, the PHA Director of student family and community affairs, is a BYU-H alumnus; Nephi Prime, the PHA Director of Language & Cultures, used to work as a Māori Cultural Ambassador for the PCC while attending BYU-H.

Moea’i said the mission of PHA is to “give children root and wings, so they know where their home is and how to fly high.” She said the 21st century is an age of creativity. Through purposeful curricular and environmental supports in the school and in the home, PHA prepares children for their adult’s life by connecting children to what make them joyful and marketable.

Arranging the visit, Tevita Ka’ili, Associate Profession in anthropology, said the purpose was to “help BYU-H especially ICS students to learn about diversity and how culture be used out there. And this [PHA] is the practical level of culture in the real life.”

Cowdery Crisanto, an anthropology grad from Oregon, was the first intern with the PHA. He descried it as a remarkable learning experience. “We can build a bridge of peace over conflict of different by understanding the cultures,” he said. “Diversity is the spice of life. Without differences the world would be very boring.”

Spending time in the Polynesia Cultural Center and BYU-H, children of the PHA expressed gratitude to the field trip. Fauhiva Olive, with Tongan heritage, said, “The things I saw in the PCC strengthen my knowledge of my culture.”

Agreeing with Olive, Ariana Thompson, with English heritage, said, “BYU-H is an amazing place….it makes me want to be in this school someday.”

Christ Schaelling, with Mexican heritage, also said, “BYU-H is better than any school ever. I love the different culture on campus.” 
For more information about PHA, please visit www.phlearning.org