In February of 2003, Francisco Torres Hochstetter (Museo Antropológico Padre Sebastián Englert), Verónica Vergara Salvatierra (Museo Antropológico Padre Sebastián Englert), and Brett Shepardson, (University of Hawai'i at Manoa) formalized the 'a pó program for local high school students on Rapa Nui. As volunteer participants, students began to meet two nights a week and one full day each weekend to learn about archaeology, computers, field research techniques, and issues of cultural conservation in order to execute their first archaeological research project at the Puna Pau topknot quarry site.

 

The program persisted as a year-round effort and continues today to offer specialized education and university preparation for Rapa Nui high school students. 'a pó now operates with generous support from various corporate and individual sponsors.