Education Through Cultural & Historical Organizations (ECHO)

Education Through Cultural & Historical Organizations (ECHO) - www.echospace.org
ECHO was established by Congress as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The program brings to culturally diverse audiences innovative programs which amplify educational benefits, foster greater appreciation of local and national history, and assist communities in maximizing the social benefits of new technologies. The organization is a major, federally funded educational and cultural enrichment initiative, annually serving hundreds of thousands of children, teachers, and adult continuing learners in Alaska, Hawai‘i, Massachusetts and Mississippi. In Hawaii, ECHO’s mission is produced by the Bishop Museum.

Bishop Museum - www.bishopmuseum.org
Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The Museum was established to house the extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess, and has expanded to include millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawai‘i and other Pacific island cultures.

Today, Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, recognized throughout the world for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. Serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum.

Bishop Museum ECHO Partner Organizations - top -
Under the ECHO contract, Bishop Museum will implement projects n the following areas: Educational Programs, Education Through Technology, Cultural Exchanges, Internships and Apprenticeships, and other Related Activities. To ensure the accomplishment of ECHO’s mission in Hawai‘i, the museum has collaborated with the following ECHO partner organizations:

Announcements - top -

• March 28 - Get Free Handbook on how to Prepare for Natural Hazards, Co-Author of 'Homeowners’ Handbook' to Speak; 4 p.m.; (‘Imiloa Astronomy Center; Hilo, HI); Free
  
• March 29 - ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center's monthly "Maunakea Skies" evening program will be hosted by Peter Michaud of the Gemini Observatory; 7 p.m.; (‘Imiloa Astronomy Center; Hilo, HI); $5 for ‘Imiloa members and $8 for non-members
  
• March 29, 2008 - CNHA Huaka‘i at Ka‘ala Farm Cultural Center; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; (Mount Ka‘ala; Waianae, HI); $25
  
• April 1-4, 2008 - Merrie Monarch: Hula Workshops & Demonstrations; 10:00-11:30 a.m., and 1:00-2:30 p.m.; (‘Imiloa Astronomy Center; Hilo, HI); Free
  
• April 12, 2008 - Amy Greenwell Garden Free Garden Tour - Hawaiian Hardwoods; 10 to 11:30 a.m.; (Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden; Captain Cook, HI); Free
  
• April 12, 2008 - Amy Greenwell Garden Home Seed Harvesting Workshop; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; (Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden; Captain Cook, HI); $20; $5 Bishop Museum Members
  
• April 12, 2008 - Amy Greenwell Garden Stone Shaping Workshop; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; (Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden; Captain Cook, HI); $55; $35 Bishop Museum Members
  
• Sept 29 - Oct 2, 2008 - 7th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention; (Honolulu, HI)
  <ECHO partners will have the opportunity to highlight and submit stories, announcements, & events>

Job Openings - top -

• CNHA is seeking individuals interested in the cultural, economic, and community development of Native Hawaiians. The CNHA Internship and Fellowship Program creates opportunities for individuals to contribute to the mission of CNHA and to Native Hawaiian communities in a variety of ways, including policy, training services, fundraising, and fiscal and administrative functions. Individuals may also be placed with a CNHA member organization that has a specific community development focus. For interested applicants, please send resume to info@hawaiiancouncil.org.
  
• The Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden is currently seeking volunteers of all ages at the Garden. Some volunteers work in the nursery, others help keep the Garden grounds beautiful, and others lead tours and help with programs. Whatever your interests and abilities, the Garden can use your help. Email agg@bishopmuseum.org for information. Student internships are also available.
  

Grant and Scholarship Opportunities - top -

CNHA’s Grantee Forum - learn about grant and funding opportunities; July 10th & 11th; Wailea, Maui; $125 registration

Other Resources - top -

koki‘o Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden supports Hawaiian cultural traditions of land use and plants and conserves the plant resources of traditional Hawaiian cultural activities. Established in 1974 by a bequest from Amy B. H. Greenwell, the Garden first opened to the public in 1988 and is staffed by four full-time gardeners. The 15-acre Bishop Museum site features a nursery, accessible restrooms, and a landscape of more than 200 species of native plants and Polynesian crops. These are plants that grew on the traditional farms and native forests of Kona before Captain Cook arrived in the late 18th century. There are endemic, indigenous, and Polynesian introduced plants. These include the important plants in Hawaiian culture such as taro and kukui, and scores of rare and endangered native species such as the beautiful koki‘o. Download AGG Fact Sheet with school information (Adobe PDF)

Huaka'i on April 1, 2008 - top - On March 29, 2008, Ka`ala Farm Cultural Learning Center and CNHA hosted a huaka`i for local community members and Alaska natives from Point Hope, AK. Participants had the opportunity to work in a lo`i, prepare poi, and learn about the farm’s history.