In 2005, Myron B. Thompson Academy (MBTA), a public online Charter School in Hawai'i expressed interest in collaborating to create a cohort of students who would be interested in enrollment of distance learning courses with an 'Ike Hawai'i focus targeted for Hawaiian learners.

      A collaboration between MBTA and Kamehameha Schools Virtual Strategies/Distance Learning would provide opportunities for the Department to develop and pilot distance education capabilities to reach Hawaiian learners of varied educational backgrounds.

     In addition to the MBTA core programs, this unique program, 'Ike Hawai'i Magnet, would be offered as an option for all full-time enrolled MBTA students who would like to focus on learning more about the Hawaiian culture, history, and language. Special courses focusing on 'Ike Hawai'i would be offered. Upon 4 years of successful participation and completion of courses, students would graduate from MBTA and receive a Kamehameha Schools 'Ike Hawai'i Certificate.

'Ike Hawai'i Magnet Goals:

• Delivery of distance learning courses to MBTA students with an 'Ike Hawai'i focus targeted for Hawaiian learners
• Delivery of quality instruction through research of "best practices" for distance learning
• Identify transferability of virtual learning model for Hawaiian learners
• Research and evaluate economically sustainable model for Kamehameha Schools Virtual Strategies/Distance Learning to help extend the reach to Hawaiian learners.