Motta promoted to Hālau Kupukupu po 'okumu

Jun. 30, 2016

Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth

In December 2015, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi campus announced that Joy “Hauʻoli” Motta will lead Hālau Kupukupu in a new role as poʻokumu (principal). Motta helped to launch and had been serving as campus outreach program coordinator for the Hālau Kupukupu Summer Innovations Academy over the past two years.

KS Hawaiʻi poʻokula (head of school) Kāhealani Naeʻole-Wong introduced a redesign of Hālau Kupukupu in November, from a campus outreach program to be the fourth kula for the campus, which will help the campus in aligning with the goals of Kūhanauna (SP2020).

With the realignment, there was a need to adjust the leadership and support structure for the new school.

Motta will bring her expertise to lead the planning, integration, design, implementation and evaluation of key educational programming and strategies which achieve the learner and community-building objectives of Hālau Kupukupu for KS Hawaiʻi and the broader Kūhanauna. In this leadership capacity, she will also serve as KS Hawaiʻi’s point of contact for the Network of Native Hawaiian Schools and the broader Hawaiʻi island region.

“Hauʻoli will continue to lead the successful Summer Innovations Academy and new programming in development that will support our continued growth in Hawaiian cultural perspectives,” said Naeʻole-Wong.

“She will also continue to support and sustain the positive momentum of the Kumuola Marine Science Education Center project and other extended learning opportunities with our valued partners.”

Prior to her work at KS Hawaiʻi, Motta was the Business Manager for ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center where she administered the operating budget to achieve strategic priorities of integrating and enhancing programmatic vibrancy, community engagement, and financial sustainability. She also served as the Media Division Coordinator for ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, Inc. for 14 years pioneering Hawaiian language revitalization efforts in marketing, media, and curriculum development.

“I believe in the transformational power of world-class Hawaiian culture-based education and am grateful to serve Ke Aliʻi Pauahi’s mission and our lāhui Hawaiʻi in this special time of innovation and collaboration across Kamehameha Schools, within our community, and throughout our Moku O Keawe region,” said Motta.

Originally from Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi, Motta is a KS Kapālama class of 1987 graduate. She continued her education at UH Hilo, earning a bachelor degrees in business administration and Hawaiian language and a secondary teaching certificate. She furthered her education and received her master of education degree from Heritage College.

“My kuleana with Hālau Kupukupu has allowed me the privilege of working with visionary and transformative leaders on campus and across various divisions within the organization,” shares Motta.

“We’re all focused on serving the same mission and are finding opportunities to bring our expertise together to achieve greater impact. It’s a special time of innovation and collaboration for the benefit and pono of our Lāhui."