Longtime Kamehameha Schools Kapālama administrator and principal of KSK’s high school, Julian K. Ako has announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2014-15 school year. Ako, who started at KS in 1979, has been the po‘o kumu (principal) of the high school since 2005.
In addition to his 10 years as principal, Ako also served in many other capacities at KSK, including dean of student activities, head of educational support services, senior education administrator, facilitator in the development of KS’ Strategic Plan 2000-2015, high school social studies department head and part-time dorm advisor.
“My life has been touched and blessed by the generosity of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi since September, 1955, when I entered Kamehameha as a seventh grader,” Ako said. “It’s been a genuine honor to have spent the last 35 years serving Kamehameha’s mission during both the institution’s darkest hour and its brightest. I’ll be leaving as the current Strategic Plan 2000-2015, which I helped to develop, comes to its end.”
Ako played a large part in the implementation of the Standards-Based Kula Hawai‘i, a project guided by the principle that all students who graduate from Kamehameha Schools must meet a set of content standards that are embedded in Hawaiian culture, while reflecting 21st century skills. This project plays an integral part in KS Kapālama’s education plan going into Strategic Plan 2020.
“Julian Ako exemplifies the values of our institution and founder, Ke Ali‘i Bernice Pauahi Bishop,” KS Kapālama Po‘o Kula (Headmaster) Earl Kim said. “He is a scholar, an artist, an award-winning composer of Hawaiian music, a teacher and a school leader. He has served the Hawaiian community, our state and the international education community through his volunteer service. Though shunning the limelight, he has done so much for so many through the years with a true servant’s heart. Julian’s legacy and impact will be felt for generations to come. We wish him only the very best on the next leg of his life’s journey.”
The 1961 KS Kapālama graduate is also an accomplished composer, winning Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards for Haku Mele for his compositions, “Māpu Mau Ke ‘Ala,” recorded by ‘Ale‘a in 2001, and “Pili Kāpekepeke,” recorded by Nā Palapalai in 2003.
Though shunning the limelight, he has done so much for so many through the years with a true servant’s heart. Julian’s legacy and impact will be felt for generations to come. We wish him only the very best on the next leg of his life’s journey.
Earl Kim, KS Kapālama headmaster
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