Kalihi-Pālama preschoolers learn to ʻauamo kuleana in their kaiāulu

March 10, 2026

At KS Preschools - Kalihi-Pālama, an engaging visit by Honolulu police officers helped keiki to better understand that kuleana is something we ʻauamo — something we carry together. Rooted in the enduring gift of Ke Aliʻi Bernice Pauahi Bishop, keiki are reminded that their education is a gift of aloha meant to be shared forward through caring, giving and serving others. Through meaningful experiences, they are learning that when we ʻauamo kuleana, we help create a thriving kaiāulu.

Keiki received a real-life demonstration of this as they recently welcomed officers from the Honolulu Police Department’s Narcotics Division who shared how community helpers mālama us each day. HPD receives nearly 7,000 calls for help in a single day, a powerful example of how many people rely on others that serve our kaiāulu. The visit helped keiki understand that police officers carry a kuleana to protect and care for their community. Through this experience, keiki also learned that they have their own kuleana: to mālama one another through kindness, respect and pono choices.

Keiki rotated through three stations: exploring a police car, meeting the K-9 unit and taking photos for their Keiki IDs. At each station, keiki met police officers who highlighted different ways they work together to keep communities safe. At the K-9 station, keiki met Pit and Jango, dogs trained to sniff out dangerous, illegal narcotics.

Corporal Paul Awana with a Kalihi-Pālama preschooler

Corporal Paul Awana, a K-9 trainer since 2010, shared how ongoing training helps dogs and handlers work as a team to locate harmful drugs and keep neighborhoods safe. The demonstration showed keiki that teamwork, practice and commitment are all elements of ʻauamo kuleana — carrying responsibility together for the good of others.

“Our visits each year give keiki positive experiences with police officers and see some of the different jobs in the police force,” Awana shared. “It helps to break down barriers when we engage in a safe space; we can build trust and pilina.”

Many officers live within the communities they serve, helping keiki understand that caring for the kaiāulu starts with those who offer their time, talents and hearts in service to others.

Kumu Jannie Umeda has coordinated law enforcement visits for her preschoolers for two decades. She explained, “The safety lessons help keiki learn how to mālama themselves and others. Through safety talks about asking trusted adults for help or calling 911 during emergencies, keiki learn that safety is a shared responsibility.”

At the Kalihi-Pālama preschool, these experiences help keiki see Pauahi’s gift as both a blessing and a responsibility. By learning to show aloha, mālama and serve others, they are growing into ʻōiwi leaders who understand that when we ʻauamo kuleana, we create a safer and stronger kaiāulu for all.

Kumu Jannie Umeda (right, back row) and her Papa Puakenikeni haumāna watch the popular K-9 unit demonstration, along with Papa ‘Ilima, Kumu Hinano and Kumu Kamalu.