At Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha, our kumu dedicate themselves to shaping the next generation of ʻōiwi leaders. For Kumu Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting some of their efforts to help our haumāna grow, ensuring a bright future for our lāhui.
Meet Ashley Kalaiwaʻa, KS Preschools-Waimānalo
What inspired you to become a kumu?
Originally, one of the pastors at my church was a kumu here at the preschool: Kumu Zena. She told me they were looking for substitutes. I was in a really weird space in my life at the time — just graduated, didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I thought, “You know what? Some substitute work will do.” So, I applied and got hired and I loved it. I loved being able to work in all the different classrooms with different keiki. Eventually, I came back full-time. I started off in extended day, then worked my way into the classroom, and while I was doing that, I realized — this is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
Now, I just really love being able to impact keiki and feed them the ʻono of Hawaiʻi through aloha and aʻo. As kumu, if you go to any other program, you don’t have the ability to teach Christian and Hawaiian education freely. I absolutely love the fact that we can do that here at KS. I can talk about Jesus and still instill those Hawaiian values that really go hand in hand with Christian values. That’s my purpose now.
What’s a moment that really affirmed your calling?
I actually have a preschooler too. My youngest daughter is in the classroom adjacent to me. I absolutely love and adore when we’re out in public and she’s singing the moʻokūʻauhau of the kalo. She does this freely — she was doing it in Costco just two days ago! I don’t recall doing things like that when I was little and to see my daughter be able to just love being Hawaiian, speak Hawaiian, and tell others she’s Hawaiian — that’s been so fulfilling.
To be honest, I’ve been a teacher for this long, but it doesn’t seem more fulfilling than watching my own child come through the program at the same time. She is the fruit of her kumu’s labor.
What’s one lesson you hope your haumāna carry forward?
We did a trauma-informed care training and the speaker asked us: When was the first time you can recall knowing that you were Hawaiian?
And most of us in our team said we didn’t recall being told or having an understanding of being Hawaiian until we were in fourth or fifth grade. For most of us, it was May Day. That really saddened me.
So, my lifelong goal now: If a keiki can leave this classroom and know that they are Hawaiian — and that it is okay to be Hawaiian, that it is beautiful to be Hawaiian — then I know I’ve done my job as a kumu. I want them to walk away from preschool singing about our ʻāina, speaking Hawaiian or just using simple Hawaiian words in their conversations with their ʻohana. I want them to be the best version of themselves, to show kindness, and to show aloha.
Even if they’re not Hawaiian or come from different backgrounds, I want them to know: You just be the best version of yourself.
What’s your advice for new kumu embracing this kuleana?
Never be afraid to ask questions. Never be afraid to get something wrong. In the process of learning and in the process of understanding our kuleana, we’re going to make mistakes. That’s automatic. We are human. We are flesh. But the most important part is learning from it.
It’s not about the falling — it’s the process of getting back up and trying again.
Shout out a fellow kumu who empowers their haumāna every day!
Definitely Kumu Zena Welch! She was the one who got me in the door and helped me realize my calling. And then there’s Kumu Miki Carvalho-Mattos, my current teaching partner. We share a pod together, so we collaborate on our lessons and she has shown me what it takes to be a great kumu and has been an amazing role model and backbone for me. I must shout out Kumu Tricia Lasconia, a teaching assistant here at Waimānalo! Always showing me support and love! Lastly, my hope poʻo kumu LaniRae Pedro: She really supported me through my whole educational journey and was always cheering me on! Love you ladies!
They’ve all gotten me to this place. I wouldn’t have finished my degree or stepped into this lead kumu role without them.
TAGS
kumu appreciation,ks preschools,early education,e ola educators,world class education,hawaiian culture based education,native hawaiian identity
CATEGORIES
Kaipuolono Article, Regions, Ko’olau, Themes, Culture, Community, Employee ‘Ohana, Ka ʻohana Kamehameha, E Ola!, KS Announcements, Newsroom, Preschools, KS Kaiāulu, Oiwi Leaders, Preschools
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