Dr. Kü Kahakalau is a native Hawaiian educator, researcher, grassroots activist, composer and founder and director of Kanu o ka ‘Äina New Century Public Charter School. As a teacher of Hawaiian language, history and culture in the public school system for over a decade, Kü became extremely concerned with the failure of native students within the DOE. As a result she and her husband Nälei, along with a small group of other Hawaiian educators initiated an action research project that began in 1992 with a series of Hawaiian summer immersion camps in the environment. In 1997, this summer program evolved into a Hawaiian Academy or school-within-a-school and in 2000, it transitioned into Hawaiÿiÿs first native designed and controlled public charter school. The educational framework that drives Kanu o ka ÿÄina is based on a pedagogy that is culturally-driven, academically rigorous and libratory and was developed as part of Küÿs doctoral studies in Indigenous Education. This pedagogy wants to two empower all students, including Kü and Näleiÿs two daughters ages 8 and 10, and their nephew, age 7, to reach their highest potential and walk comfortably in two worlds. Kü and her family reside in Kukuihaele, but prefer to spend their free time in majestic Waipiÿo Valley only minutes away, where they have taken care of their older sibling Häloa, the taro for over a decade.