Program Overview: The Future Ancestors Spring Expression Session is a 3 day Spring Learning Experience provided by the Purple Mai'a Foundation that will empower students to explore their passions to create Waiwai (Value and Richness). This learning experience lays the foundation for future explorations into Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship that is guided by Native Hawaiian values and perspectives.

Program Components:

The Passion Lever: When you have a passion for something you are more likely to push through difficulty and "failure" to find success. Think about the Surfer who is trying to land that impossible trick or the artist who wants the world to see her beautiful vision. They will work tirelessly to make it happen because to them it isnʻt really work it is their passion. We will find ways to capitalize on this lever to take students through the design process using their passions and interests as the vehicle to success in doing "Hard things".

Purple Mai'a Entrepreneur Pathway Skills: Purple Mai'a has done extensive research and work in the Entrepreneurial space here in Hawaii and used this experience to identify the skills that are key to developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset. These skills will be integrated into the Spring Sessions to give students a basic understanding of what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

Guest Speakers and Huaka'i to Community Spaces and Wahi Pana: The Spring Sessions is not just about building entrepreneurs. We believe that the next generation of entrepreneurs need to understand creating value (Waiwai) from a community and cultural context. This program will give them a chance to learn from the people and places of their community. By being in community their ideas and innovations will be of the community. These are the indigidous innovators that will lead us into the future.

Exposure to S.T.R.Ē.Ā.M (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Art, 'Āina and Math) Learning Experiences: Yes this is a long acronym with many pieces to it but to summarize Purple Mai'a believes that our learning experiences need to be connected and integrated using all parts of the brain and opening up multiple entry points to student success. We donʻt do things in isolation but rather in connection which enables each student to use their strengths and passions to engage and learn with and from the world around them.

Hō'ike Presentations: Culturally, Hō'ike has always been an important part of learning for Hawaiians. It is a public acknowledgement of your skill and growth and brings with it a strong sense of Kuleana (Responsibility). Each student in the Summer Program will get a chance to be a part of this display and celebration of learning. It tells each of our students that what you have been doing for the last five weeks of your life matters to the people in your family and community.