Family is the foundation of Lemoe Tuaʻs success

KS Maui staffers say that PE kumu Lemoe Tua’s height and heft is only matched by the enormous warmth of his heart. Teaching elementary PE is Tua’s passion because it serves as an avenue for students to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Mar. 1, 2016

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

If you’re built like an NFL lineman you’re sure to stand out in a crowd, especially if that crowd is comprised of elementary school keiki.

While that might be the case for Kamehameha Schools Maui physical education teacher Lemoe Tua, anyone at the Pukalani campus will tell you that the height and heft of his physique is only matched by the enormous warmth of his heart.

“At first sight many are in awe of his stature and size, but for me what stands out most is his aloha for all students,” said Kula Gaughen-Haili, interim kula ha‘aha‘a po‘o kumu (elementary school principal).

“Lemoe is a great example to all educators on how they should build positive relationships and pilina with those we serve. His aloha is contagious and inspiring.”

Tua moved to O‘ahu from Fagasa, Samoa as a toddler to join his mother who moved a few months ahead of him to find work. Because she was a single parent, Tua recalls his mother being a stern woman who worked hard to keep him clothed and put food on the table.

“All she asked was that I do well in school and to have a better life than what I had as a child,” Tua said. “My experiences have molded me to want more and to be a great provider for my family.”

Those experiences included growing up in several Kalihi public housing projects including Kamehameha IV, Kuhio Park Terrace and Mayor Wright Housing. Tua says that living in the projects was made easier by the countless hours spent playing a variety of sports with neighborhood friends-turned-brothers.

“We didn’t have much, but as long as one person had a ball, we were busy all afternoon,” he said.

Despite a hard life, Tua honored his mother’s wishes, earning a full-ride scholarship to play football at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa after graduating from Farrington High School.

“Athletics led me to pursue a higher education, and education opened doors for me and allowed me to continue to provide for my children and live my passion working with the children I am privileged to teach,” Tua said. “Our parents are our first educators, my mom taught me well!”

Through it all, he credits his wife of 25 years, Lisa – the love of his life – for helping him be a successful student-athlete, adding that it took a lot of prodding and “You need to go to class” talks to push him toward earning his bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Following graduation, the couple moved back to Lisa’s home island of Maui where Tua began substitute teaching for the Department of Education, coming to the realization that teaching was his calling. With the support of his family, he went on to earn a master’s degree in initial teaching with a certificate in special education from Gonzaga University in Washington State.

“Teaching PE is a passion of mine,” said Tua, who also coaches elementary basketball, varsity football, along with strength and conditioning. “It allows me to teach students to enjoy playing and to begin to look at the field of sports as a means to living a healthy and active lifestyle.

“As a coach, having a hand in developing up-and-coming student-athletes is definitely a bonus,” he said.

The mentoring he provides the haumāna of KSM does not go unnoticed.

“Lemoe shows students how to be strong in a gentle and kind way,” said Edwin Otani, interim hope po‘o kumu (vice principal). “He serves as a great role model for students while leaving a positive lasting impression with everyone he meets.

“He also maintains positive relationships with students grades K-12. We are fortunate to have him at the elementary school.”

Though he began working at KS Maui in 2006, Tua has been a part of the KS ‘ohana since 1996 as his oldest of three children – daughter Teilissa – was one of the original 80 students admitted to the Pukalani campus when it opened its doors. Teilissa graduated from KSM in 2009, his son Ionatana is a 2015 KSM graduate, and his youngest keiki Ioasa currently attends the middle school.

“I was blessed to have opportunities to be surrounded by a support system that believed in me, so now it is my time to honor those who helped me throughout my life and give back,” Tua said. “Teaching allows me to do that and it is a privilege to work with nā keiki o Pauahi every day.”

This story is part of “I Mua Kamehameha,” an ongoing effort to celebrate the excellence of KS campus and community education programs. Inspirational stories will be shared throughout the year about KS servant leaders who are improving the lives of KS haumāna and contributing to a thriving Lāhui.

Athletics led me to pursue a higher education, and education opened doors for me and allowed me to continue to provide for my children and live my passion working with the children I am privileged to teach.
KSM Elementary School PE Teacher Lemoe Tua

Aside from teaching elementary PE, Tua also coaches elementary basketball, varsity football, along with strength and conditioning.