THE KEALA CURRICULUM

The Keala Curriculum (KC) is a 12-month model to mentor and develop youth in building their physical, cognitive and emotional health. Through physical exercise, messaging, benchmark setting and program support, KC affiliates impact their communities with a proven model.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

Each day, students learn one key word that correlates to the Keala Step of the week, totaling 312 concepts that a student may learn and discuss throughout the course of one year - this includes words such as hope, sympathy, diligence, discernment and grace. Learn more.

MESSAGE OF THE DAY

Daily programming for elementary and middle/high age groups incorporate a mix of age-appropriate games, gymnastics/calisthenic skills, conditioning or strength training. Coaches notes are also provided for further details, instructions and modification options. Learn more.

AGE GROUP PROGRAMS

IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The Keala Wellness Assessment is an evaluation of each students physical, cognitive and emotional health. This not only means helping students to goal set and celebrate their achievements, but being able to demonstrate measurable impact to your communities. Learn more.

“Keala” means “the way.”

The Keala Curriculum (KC) is laid out in a one-year program according to a quarter system. Over the course of a 12-month period, the KC integrates the fundamental values of the “12 Steps” utilized in Alcoholics Anonymous and similarly in Narcotics Anonymous around the world. The reason that we integrate these principles is to act preemptively and preventatively in developing the character of the children impacted by KC to implement these values even before they are faced with the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The well-known “12 Steps” are not for addicts only, but are a powerful model that has proven successful since its inception more than 80 years ago in building values of belonging and self worth. Our mission at the Keala Foundation is to make these dangers known and to create a space of safety to address these cultural issues faced by youth.

A different way.

Aaron Hoff started this work 25+ years ago when he got sober and recognized the cultural patterns that captured young Hawaiian kids just like him. Opening up his own home to recovering addicts, hosting front-porch AA meetings and helping parents navigate the complexities of their addicted kids are the daily habits for Aaron in providing an out-of-the-box approach to addiction recovery. The nonprofit gyms and free fitness for kids is unconventional by the status-quo, but it works.

“The way” (Keala) sometimes looks a lot like fun and exercise, but what it’s really about is demonstrating that the path to freedom is narrow, the way to healing is hard and that even so, every aspect of the journey is absolutely worth it.