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    Mahalo for your interest in learning about the history of Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning (KSDL).  The KS Distance Learning program began as a pilot during the summer of 1997. The first distance learning course offered for high school credit, Hawaiian History, was televised statewide via public access channels on all islands and offered to select boarding students from Kamehameha High School.  More than a decade later, KSDL offers award winning online programs, ‘Ike Hawai’i (high school), A‘o Makua (parents, caregivers, adults) and A‘o Kumu (educators) while providing support services to internal KS departments and programs interested in incorporating innovative distance learning strategies for Hawaiian learners.

• 1998: KSDL formally created as part of the Educational Technology and Production Division (ETTPD).  Focused on limited offerings (Hawaiian History & Economics) of high school credit cable TV courses during summer as part of KS Summer Programs
  
  
• 2000: Kulāiwi, an archived program featuring a series of thirty, 60-minute video lessons on how to speak Hawaiian with Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier streamed online for community access.
  
  
• 2001:
  • Reorganized into the newly created Extension Education Division with a new focus of providing distance learning opportunities to the broader Hawaiian community.
  • 'Ike Pono, a discussion forum series covering topics about education, intended for families and educators of children in public and private K-12 schools in Hawai'i broadcasted through public cable TV 'Ōlelo with archive available via video streaming.
    
    
• 2003:
  • Nahenahe, a program featuring a series of 60-minute audio lessons promoting the learning and appreciation of the Hawaiian language through the study of various Hawaiian mele (songs) premiered on web radio.  
  • A virtual field trip to He‘eia Fishpond was also developed for community access.
  • Transferred to the VP of Education’s Office and renamed Virtual Strategies and Distance Learning (VSDL).
    
    
• 2004:
  • Offered first cohort of the Online Instructor Training Institute (OITI) offering 2 college credit courses focused on technology integration and distance learning pedagogy.
  • Developed Lo'i virtual field trip 
    
    
• 2005:
  • Graduated first cohort of OITI teachers and completed development of Hawaiian Pacific Literature and Kumu Lecture Series course for high school students for pilot with Myron B.Thompson Academy (MBTA). 
  • Piloted two online semester courses during fall 2005.
  • Education Strategic Plan announced.   
    
    
• 2006:
  • Community Education reorganized and VSDL transferred to the Program Development Division. 
  • Completed pilot with MBTA due to mutual agreement from both parties. 
  • Official launch of the 'Ike Hawai'i in fall 2006 offering four semester credit courses 
  • Offered last 3rd OITI cohort before revising program
    
    
• 2007:
  • Conducted needs analysis and began demonstration offerings of A'o Makua online enrichment courses for parents and caregivers
  • Developed 'Iolani Palace Grounds virtual field trip.
  • Based upon collaborator request to access ‘Ike Hawai’i curriculum by face-to-face classroom teachers developed and offered Culturally-based Online Curriculum for Educators (CBOCE) online professional development course.
  • Awarded 2007 Blackboard Course exemplary award for 'Ike Hawai'i's Hawaiian Pacific Literature course.   
    
    
• 2008 :
  • Official launch of A'o Makua.
  • Developed Mauna ‘Ala Grounds virtual field trip.
  • Awarded International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) SIGTE award for lessons submitted by DL Instructors.
  • Awarded 2008 Blackboard Course exemplary award for 'Ike Hawai'i's Hawaiian Culture course.
    
    
• 2009:
  • Revised OITI & CBOCE based upon teacher feedback and renamed program to be A'o Kumu with three levels of online professional development course offerings
  • Awarded 2009 United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming.
  • Awarded 2009 Blackboard Course exemplary award for A'o Makua’s 'Ōlelo Hawai'i: Ku'u Wahi Noho course.
  • Completed divisional tactical plans (Program Support Division) and returned branch to it’s original name of Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning (KSDL)