When most students think of the school nurse, they probably imagine someone who only hands out Tylenol and ice packs. But Kamehameha Schools Kapālama’s lead registered nurse, Kapua Gelacio KSK’16, knows that keeping haumāna healthy takes way more than a thermometer and bed rest.
“I know a lot of these medical emergency plans like the back of my hand,” Gelacio said. “I know where they keep their EpiPen or their emergency meds.”
It’s that kind of vigilance and compassion that drives Nurse Kapua’s approach to student wellness, and it’s why her advice for the back-to-school season comes with both experience and heart.
Setting a sleep routine
As students return from summer break, the shift back into school routines can be a tough adjustment, especially when it comes to sleep. The biggest culprits? Late-night screen time, unlimited phone use and energy drinks. All that stimulation disrupts their sleep cycles. Before the first day of class, students should begin shifting their sleep schedule at least one to two weeks in advance, as gradually going to bed earlier each night can help ease the transition. Ideally, teens should be getting eight to 10 hours of sleep every night.
Students and ʻohana can support better sleep by:
If a child finds themselves waking up frequently during the night or is unable to fall asleep consistently, it may be helpful to speak with a counselor or nurse to explore possible underlying causes like anxiety or stress.
“We have to look at them as a whole person. If something’s keeping them up at night and it’s consistent, they might benefit from talking to our behavioral health counselor,” Gelacio said.
Supporting mental health from day one
Sleep is just one piece of the bigger picture. For many students, emotional wellness plays a major role in how they experience the exciting and sometimes nerve-racking start of the new school year. They may feel the weight of academic expectations while managing full schedules and extracurriculars. When those stressors go unspoken, they often surface as symptoms.
“We’re really the first line, that first step into identifying that something’s wrong. You’d think it’s just a headache,” Gelacio said. “But then we run the wellness screening, and we could see some red flags.”
Building daily habits that support mental wellness is essential and one key practice is staying connected. Simple routines like eating dinner with family or dormmates, participating in group activities or having a check-in with a trusted adult can help young people feel supported.
“I work with a youth group outside — I volunteer with a church — and a lot of them have family dinners every night,” Gelacio said. “They really enjoy it. They get to talk about their day and feel more connected to their family and other kids.”
Round-the-clock care on campus
While keiki get ready to hit the books, Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha nurses are deep in preparation: reviewing physicals, confirming immunizations, resolving discrepancies and creating emergency action plans. Across Hawaiʻi pae ʻāina, these teams are making sure every haumāna has what they need to feel safe and supported throughout their educational career.
It’s this kind of detailed and deeply personal care that motivates the Kapālama alum each day.
“I like to know my students are safe. I want to see them grow up,” Gelacio said. “One student told us…she wants to be a nurse and that was eye-opening for me. I didn’t think people noticed me. I didn’t realize the kind of impact I could have.”
As haumāna settle into a new school year, the routines they build now — getting enough rest, nurturing relationships, speaking up when something feels off — can shape how they thrive in the semesters ahead. Back-to-school season is more than just packing lunches and preparing lessons. It’s about creating rhythms of care and connection that help keiki feel ready, inside and out.
TAGS
maui campus,
kapalama campus,
malama ola minute,
mālama ola,
student safety,
health and wellness,
safety and well-being,
health professionals,
student health,
ks kapalama
CATEGORIES
Kaipuolono Article, Regions, Kaua’i and Ni’ihau, Wai’anae Coast, ‘Ewa, Waialua, Kona, O’ahu, Ko’olau, Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i, West Hawai’i, East Hawai’i, Themes, Culture, Community, Hawaii Newsroom, KS Hawaii Home, Kapalama Newsroom, Kapalama Home, KS Announcements, Malama Ola, Malama Ola Minute, Maui Newsroom, KS Maui Home, Newsroom, Hawaii, Kapalama, Maui, Preschools, Health and Wellness, Alumni, Kapalama, Oahu, Oiwi Leaders, Malama Ola, Hawaii campus, Kapalama campus, Maui campus, Preschools
Print with photos Print text only
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
