Kamehameha Schools staffers based at the trust’s Kakaʻako headquarters beamed with excitement recently when more than 200 Hawaiian language immersion school keiki stopped by to mahalo KS for its summer school support.
“I look forward to the annual visit from our charter school keiki,” says Hiwalani Chang, ʻĀina-Based Education administrative coordinator. “The reciprocal sharing of oli, mele, and hula reenergizes me and reminds me of why I work at Kamehameha: for Nā Pua a Pauahi (Pauahi’s children).”
Keiki from Kaiapuni Kauwela ʻO Ānuenue Public Charter School, and satellite schools at Kaiapuni Kauwela ʻO Pūowaina and Pūʻōhala elementary shared their mahalo by singing and dancing hula to several mele honoring Kamehameha Nui, the schools’ namesake.
KS has supported Kula Kaiapuni Kauwela ʻO Ānuenue’s summer school program for over 20 years enabling the school to expand its summer programs to 11 sites throughout the state.
“Our Nā Kula Kaiapuni Kauwela summer school program offers quality instruction in the Hawaiian language with a strong Hawaiian cultural foundation,” says Assistant Director Leilani Kamalani. “Without this KS funding, our satellite sites would not be able to open because their enrollment wouldn’t support enough positions to run their programs safely.
“We have been very fortunate to have a memorandum of agreement through the KS Extension Education Division which funds lead teacher positions for each of our satellite sites as well as supplemental positions, bussing and supplies.”
In addition to funding the summer school program directly, KS supports the community non-profit Alu Like which provides scholarships to more than half of the program’s 500 students. KS also created the Hawaiian language curriculum used by the program for the past 18 years.
The “La Mahalo” event culminated with the keiki presenting lei and handmade artwork to Kamehameha staffers.
Hats off to KS’ Hawaiian Culture-Based Education (HCBE) team for planning and coordinating a successful event! The HCBE staff thanks the Hawaiian Cultural Vibrancy and Wahie groups – especially cultural specialists Hauoli Akaka and Keiki Kaopua, and Preschool Senior Project Manager Kaipo Hale – for setting up the event's sound system and leading KS staffers in Hawaiian protocol and mele.
Photos by KS Visual Communications Specialist Ed Subia. Scroll down to view a photo gallery of the event.
I look forward to the annual visit from our charter school keiki. The reciprocal sharing of oli, mele, and hula reenergizes me and reminds me of why I work at Kamehameha: for Nā Pua a Pauahi (Pauahi’s children).
Hiwalani Chang, ʻĀina-Based Education Administrative Coordinator
Summer program Assistant Director Leilani Kamalani thanks KS for its support including the creation of Hawaiian language curriculum used by the program for 18 years.
The keiki shared their mahalo by singing and dancing hula to several mele honoring Kamehameha Nui, the schools’ namesake.
The annual event serves as a reminder to KS staffers of the trust's educational mission.
The “La Mahalo” event culminated with the keiki presenting lei and artwork to employees. Above, ʻĀina-Based Education Administrative Coordinator Hiwalani Chang receives a watercolor painting.
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