Aloha, My name is Malia Reghi and I wanted to tell you a little about my family. My daughter goes by ‘Awa, she is a beautiful and fun loving five year old. Her and I live on the south side of Kauai. ‘Awa’s father Caleb, and I were college sweethearts who eventually decided to go our separate ways, but always strive to raise our daughter together with grace and integrity. ’Awa also has a half-brother named Kaikane, his mother is Guri and I have become close friends as fate would have it. The five of us make a unique family unit from many different Islands in Hawaii, and from around the world! ‘Awa and I are from Kauai; Kaikane and Guri from Maui, New Mexico, and France; and Caleb is from Puna. ‘Awa and Kaikane, enjoy playing and being together. Kaikane taught ‘Awa how to ride a bike with their dad in Ha’ena, while ‘Awa has taught Kaikane how to swim. Finding a home for all of us to raise the keiki has been a fluid process. Guri and I recently talked about the possibility of her moving home to Paia with Kaikane, and she told me about a beautiful Hawaiian immersion school in Maui. It has been my dream to get ‘Awa into a Hawaiian immersion school, and I have had her on the waitlist for one here on Kauai for 4 years. So, I figured I might as well apply, surely there was no chance she would get in, I mean she has been on a waitlist for 4 years! The immersion programs are truly a gem of Hawaii, and a unique privilege for those of us blessed with living here. They are an undeniably unmitigated factor in the renaissance of our beloved culture, and have breathed life into the lahub. N. Hmmmyhn i: “I ke olelo no ke Ola; I ke olelo no ka make”. Unfortunately they are limited in their size and spread due to funding. When ‘Awa was accepted last week, I was amazed; I knew I had the responsibility to make this opportunity a reality for her. Ke Kula O Piilani is located on Iao Valley Rd. In Wailuku, Maui. Situated in the mouth of Iao, the campus is backed by fabled mountain ranges. What place better to conduct education with an ‘aina-based curriculum. Hands on learning stimulates both motor skill and cognitive development. In this technology era working with our hands becomes the rarity. Also, studies show that biliteracy has a positive effect on the cognitive creativity of children and heightens development of critical thinking later on Al-Amri, Majid N. 2013 www.aasrc.org/aasrj. In this time of COVID-19 uncertainty abounds, yet I plan for the future I would like to see. No words could truly express the appreciation I have for the support I have found in raising lil’ ‘Awa girl past, present, and future. And so I am writing this letter to humbly ask for a charitable donation to our moving/tuition fund. I have set up a go fund me account, in an effort to make this dream of moving to Maui in very short notice a reality. I seeking to raise $8000 in order to pay one years full tuition. I know this is a lot of money, and a big ask in the midst of a global pandemic. Please feel free to donate directly to Ke Kula o Pi’ilani, and receive their non-profit 501(c) federal tax I.D. Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and thank you in advance for your generosity! In Health! Malia and ‘Awa