Improving education systems for Native Hawaiian learners by cultivating vital community partnerships is the mission of Kamehameha Schools. That's why the organization teamed up with Arizona State University to make it possible for learners worldwide to explore some of Hawaii’s sacred cultural sites.

Through the partnership, KS developed a virtual huaka‘i (field trip) that offers learners the same cognitive and effective gains as a real-life excursion and enables the organization to share its cultural resources without disturbing sacred sites – a concern for cultural practitioners. ASU experts provided technical assistance, surveying the sites, gathering three-dimensional images and creating the online, 360-degree tour.

KS envisions one of the sites, Kahaluʻu Ma Kai, as a hub for innovative Native Hawaiian ʻāina-based STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education.