Replanting roots: Kamehameha Schools Maui grads return for summer program

Oct. 15, 2025

This summer, Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha Maui alumni came together in Kuʻia to put native plants in the ground and strengthen their roots in ʻāina and community. The outplanting was part of their Summer Bridge program, a new series of events designed to reconnect and recharge recent graduates before they head back to college or work.

“We wanted to create a Summer Bridge that didn’t feel like another class,” said Dean of College and Career Counseling Tracy Manlansing. “We try to touch on different areas so every student can benefit in some way.”

Across all Summer Bridge events — from the Kuʻia planting to a campus concert — nearly 100 alumni participated. Designed to go beyond academics, the program integrated financial literacy, community engagement and cultural connection to help graduates stay rooted in their ʻōiwi identity while navigating life after high school.

That ongoing assistance is part of a larger effort across Kamehameha Schools. Transition specialists extend guidance to graduates on scholarships, financial aid, apprenticeships and networking.

“Being able to support each haumāna in whatever their passion is — whether it’s college, career, or trade — that’s what our department is about,” Manlansing said. “We want to make sure they’re supported in every area, not just financially but culturally, academically and personally.”

After graduating from the ʻAʻapueo campus, Nevan Watanabe KSM’17 balanced a demanding pre-medicine course load with the grind of collegiate baseball. When the COVID-19 pandemic upended both his academic and athletic career, he eventually found his way home to Maui — now serving as a college transition specialist at his alma mater and helping to lead the group’s alumni gatherings.

“Knowledge not shared is a waste of knowledge,” Watanabe said. “Whatever I learn and whatever I know, I feel like that’s my job: to share it, as much as possible.”

At Kuʻia, alumni planted native species alongside ʻĀina Pauahi staff under the guidance of Hoʻohua ʻĀina program director Hōkūao Pellegrino.
For many, the day reinforced the kuleana of carrying cultural practices forward.

“Just knowing our people did this back in the day, and it’s part of our culture and our kuleana to uphold those practices still,” Watanabe said.
“Learning about the history, it’s just a lot of powerful stuff, especially here.”

For Julia Kamalei Pahukula KSM’24, the outplanting offered a moment of renewal before returning to university.

“Just to come out for three hours and put your hands into the dirt, it feels great,” Pahukula said. “Getting to reconnect with old classmates, talk with teachers and just share how life is going — how you’re continuing to grow beyond just your high school years — is amazing.”

She added that life on the continent sometimes feels like living “a double life,” split between commitments on the continent and back on Maui. With experiences like Summer Bridge, coming home gave her a chance to reset in ways that felt both joyful and restorative for her mental and emotional well-being.

For alumni, the inaugural program underscores what holistic support looks like at Kamehameha Schools: a continuum of care that spans beyond the classroom, from guidance on campus to hands in the soil. It is a reminder that no matter where their journeys lead, ʻāina and ʻohana remain a source of strength for these budding ʻōiwi leaders.