Education-1st Hawaii is a non-profit 501c3 Native Hawaiian Organization committed to helping Hawaii’s youth better prepare themselves for college and career success. We prepare students to incorporate effective study skills in their academics and offer academic counseling to students and their families. We also assist our students with the steps necessary to fulfill their desire to attend college and to graduate with a degree.

Mission

Education-1st is a not-for-profit 501c3 Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) dedicated to motivating youth and their families to go to college, giving them the confidence to graduate with a college degree, and encouraging them to contribute back to their communities.

History

Education-1st Hawaii is the culmination of an idea for Asai and Keawe Gilman, a local husband and wife team. Born and raised in the islands, they graduated from Kamehameha Schools, left to the mainland for college, dated, married, & started their family. Asai,originally from Kahaluu,& Keawe, who grew up in Laie, have worked in higher education for a culmination of 30 years in the mainland and in Hawaii. Throughout their experiences, a desire to help Hawaii’s students better prepare themselves for higher education flourished as Asai worked closely with many Hawaii athletes who had all the talent for athletics, but struggled to meet the academic demands of college. Many did not finish their college education. Ten years ago, Asai and Keawe were given the opportunity to return home to Hawaii where they created Education-1st Hawaii as their way to contribute back to their community.

With a dedicated staff, the organization has already begun to reach and influence many students in the Ko’olauloa community, the state of Hawaii, the mainland, and the Pacific Islands.