Hawaiian language immersion school kumu H. Ka‘umealani K. Walk was recently awarded the Kamehameha Schools 2016 Native Hawaiian Community Educator of the Year Award as part of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s Annual Native Hawaiian Convention. Walk was recognized for building educational pathways for generations of Native Hawaiian learners.
The KS award recognizes visionary education leaders who create learning environments that engage Hawaiian learners in the practice and perpetuation of Hawai‘i’s native language and culture.
Walk has served as a kumu in the Hawaii State Department of Education’s Kaiapuni (Hawaiian language immersion) schools for more than 25 years, in elementary and secondary education classrooms.
“Known to her family and friends as kumu, aunty and mother, Ka‘umealani Walk has made an impact on hundreds of haumāna (students) throughout the years,” says Kāʻeo Duarte, KS’ vice president of Community Engagement and Resources.
“Kamehameha Schools relies on partnerships with community educators to help us improve the educational well-being of all Native Hawaiian learners, and this award is a way to say ‘mahalo piha’ for your contributions.”
Walk began her educational efforts at Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Waiau and Ānuenue – Hawaiian language immersion schools in Pearl City and Pālolo. As a mother of five, she and her husband Kamoaʻe endured the 75-plus-mile round trips from their home in Hauʻula to Pearl City and back to ensure that their keiki were taught in ʻōlelo Hawai‘i.
During this time, Walk worked steadfastly on her vision of establishing the Kaiapuni educational pathway closer to home. She eventually helped launch Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Hauʻula and later Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawaiʻi ʻo Kahuku Academy in the Koʻolauloa district.
The initial Kaiapuni middle school classes within Koʻolauloa were held at BYU-Hawaiʻi as a direct result of Walk’s advocacy. As the program continued to grow, the Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kahuku Academy was formally included as part of Kahuku High School and continues to service the area’s educational needs.
“All of us are born with kuleana, and as we teach our keiki those things that we remember growing up, they will be equipped with the knowledge that they need to alaka‘i (guide) us into the next several thousand years,” Walk says. “It is my hope that we never forget the people who came before us. Our kūpuna are here with us all the time, we just need to make sure to listen and do what we know is right. Every life that we touch, every life that we help, is a success for all of us.”
Ka‘ano‘i Walk – son of the awardee and senior policy analyst within KS’ Kūamahi community education division – nominated his mother for the award and helped present it to her.
“My mother has always been and will continue to be a spiritual leader for me but it also brings me great joy to see her positive influence in her students’ lives,” Ka‘ano‘i Walk says. “Kaʻumealani continues to mentor and guide her haumāna, including those that have since graduated and are beginning families of their own. Kaiapuni was truly a reflection of (life at) home. As a young Hawaiian, that was so important to me to have that foundation.”
Previous recipients of the KS Native Hawaiian Community Educator of the Year Award include kumu hula, educator and cultural practitioner Hōkūlani Holt-Padilla; and Wai‘anae Intermediate School teacher Maika‘i Spencer.
Strategic Plan 2020
SP2020 is a five-year strategic plan that will guide Kamehameha Schools from 2015 to 2020. The plan marks a starting point toward KS’ Vision 2040, which envisions success for all Native Hawaiian learners.
The Native Hawaiian Community Educator of the Year award aligns with Goal 2 of SP2020 which calls for KS to contribute to collective community efforts to improve education systems for Hawaiian learners. It also supports Action 4 of Kamehameha’s Ten Actions for fiscal year 2017, calling for KS to leverage community partnerships to improve educational success across the state.
Kamehameha Schools relies on partnerships with community educators to help us improve the educational well-being of all Native Hawaiian learners, and this award is a way to say ‘mahalo piha’ for your contributions.
Kāʻeo Duarte, KS VP of Community Engagement and Resources
Kāʻeo Duarte, KS Vice President of Community Engagement and Resources
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