Meet our kumu: Piʻikea Kihe — Teaching aloha through ʻike kūpuna

May 5, 2025

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 Piʻikea Kihe, KS Preschools-Waimea

What inspired you to become a kumu?
Growing up in a family where teaching was more than just a profession. It was a calling —instilled in me a deep aloha for education. My mother Leila Auhea Straus Puhi of Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu, who was a lifer at Kamehameha Schools, became a Hawaiian Studies kumu in the kūpuna program on Moku o Keawe. Her dedication to shaping young minds in the ‘ike of our kūpuna inspired me to follow in her footsteps but my passion for teaching keiki in my kaiāulu goes beyond tradition. Teaching in the way that I was inspired, I’ve come to understand that learning isn’t just about books and lessons; it’s about building upon a connection to a sense of place. I want to empower our keiki to embrace their potential, to see themselves reflected in the ‘ike of their kūpuna, and to thrive as ‘ōiwi leaders. Teaching, for me, is not just a career choice but a heartfelt commitment to uplifting the future of our Hawaiʻi.

Tell us about a time you saw your haumāna use what they’ve learned to make a difference. What did that mean to you?
One of the most inspiring moments as a kumu was witnessing a haumāna take their learning beyond the classroom and into their home. After successfully completing a unit on ka waiapuniwai, one keiki shared a recording on Seesaw of her teaching her entire ‘ohana the hula and mele to “Ka Waiapuniwai” (Water Cycle), encouraging them to follow along. Then, at the very end of her recording, she mentions to her dad and says, “If the kahawai has rubbish in it, then the water will be dirty, and we can’t drink from the punawai.”

Seeing this transfer of learning from school to home reminded me that education isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about empowerment. It was a humbling and proud moment, reaffirming why I chose this path. Growing in E Ola! and seeing it unfold in the most natural way is so rewarding and truly special.

What’s one lesson you hope your haumāna carry forward?
The most important lesson I hope my haumāna carry forward is the simple lesson of aloha ke kahi i ke kahi: love and care for one another. This value is the heartbeat of our pilina in our papa, reminding us that we are all connected. I want my haumāna to grow with the understanding that kindness is not a passive act; it is something we choose every day. Whether through helping a classmate ‘opiʻopi kapa, tending to the māla, or standing up for what is right, living aloha is a lifelong commitment. If they can carry this lesson beyond the four walls of this papa, they won’t just be better haumāna, they’ll be better leaders, friends, and stewards of our honua.

What’s your advice for new kumu embracing this kuleana?
My advice for new kumu would be to lead with aloha, inspire with aloha and teach with aloha. Aloha is something you feel from inside, and when put into action, it can create the space all around you to e ‘ulu or grow. And when you choose aloha, everything that you do will come easy flowing.

Shout out a fellow kumu who empowers their haumāna every day!
A huge mahalo to kumu Kanoe Bertelmann from our Waimea site, whose passion and dedication light the way for her haumāna every day. Her commitment to E Ola! goes beyond the classroom. She inspires young minds to embrace their culture, their community and their potential. In the 12 years that I have worked with her, I have witnessed the difference she makes in the lives of so many. I see you kumu Kanoe, I appreciate you, and I honor the incredible work you do!