Over 8 million visitors annually come to enjoy our environment, accounting for $14 billion a year in tourism, the largest single contributor (at 21%) to Hawaii’s economy. The overall asset value of coral reefs in the main Hawaiian Islands is estimated at nearly $10 billion (Cesar and van Beukering 2004). Just as importantly, our residents […]
ThinkTech Hawaii features Karen Lee on 55 by ’25
One of the Foundation’s core partners, Hawai‘i P20 Executive Director Karen Lee recently joined ThinkTech Hawaii to share the “55 by 25” movement seeking to increase the percentage of working age adults in Hawai‘i with a postsecondary degree or credential.
January 8, 2015 appearance on ThinkTech Hawaii
I was happy to be invited by ThinkTech Hawai‘i to discuss the Foundation’s work in public education and the progress of the public schools in Hawai‘i.
“SEEQ”ing charter school growth in Hawaii
We rarely provide support to individual charter schools. After all, the operating conditions in Hawaii are not great – low per pupil reimbursement, no facilities funding and a relatively restrictive master contract. However, we saw a clear investment opportunity in Hawaii’s two newest charter schools and provided each with support prior to opening their doors. At the […]
Did you know 11,000 more adults have a degree than last year?
In 2012, US Census data for Hawai‘i showed that 316,099 adults ages 25 to 64 had an Associates, Bachelors or Advanced degree. This number translates to 42.6 percent of the population. Well, new data were just released that show this percentage rose to 44.3 percent. Now many may dismiss these gains as minimal. Yet when […]
Among the Elements
We drifted A few hours prior, in the late afternoon, one of our apprentice navigators was being put to the test in finding Swains Island from Apia, Samoa, a relatively short but challenging sail of bout 170 miles. Short because at an estimated 5 knots it would only take us about 48 hours, challenging because […]
What will it take to meet our 55 by 25 goal?
Meeting future workforce needs demands that at least 55 percent of working age adults in Hawaii hold a postsecondary degree or certificate. Yet right now we stand at a mere 43 percent. So what strategies or interventions can get more young people to and through college? Early college high schools hold great promise, and Hawaii’s first cohort of […]
We pause to celebrate progress
Last week marked the official end of Hawaii’s Race to the Top effort – the only state to finish on time, without the aid of a no cost extension. It is worth remembering where we were four years ago. Different public officials held in key leadership posts, as the grant was secured during Governor Linda Lingle’s tenure […]
Let’s Work Together to Restore Kawainui Marsh
Recent letters to the editor published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser makes me realize that people are not getting an accurate picture of the state’s well-articulated conceptual plans to restore and protect Hawai‘i’s largest remaining freshwater marsh complex, which sits right in the heart of Kailua. Cheryl McIlroy wrote in “Plan for marsh widely opposed” (Star-Advertiser, […]
Early College HS update: Congrads to the 12 selected partnerships!
Twelve high schools statewide have been selected to participate in the Early College High School Program, a coordinated initiative designed to allow more high school students to earn six or more college credits before they graduate from high school. Over the next three years, Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, with the support of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and […]