Looking back on her time at Kamehameha Schools Maui, Julia Kamalei Pahukula KSM’24 describes her educational journey with one word: blessed. At the ʻAʻapueo campus, she embraced every opportunity to learn and grow as a student-athlete and leader.
“Going to KS, you can make it your own,” Pahukula said. “You can learn Hawaiian, dance hula, join a club or even start your own! There are so many different kinds of opportunities that we get to have.”
One of the experiences that left a lasting impression on Pahukula was hosting a news show for Hawaii News Now. “Spotlight Now: Student Edition” puts KS haumāna in control as they produce, edit and host the 60-minute show, managing everything from preproduction planning to interviewing guests under the bright lights of the studio floor. This hands-on opportunity is just one example of how Kamehameha Schools stands out; providing world-class education for Native Hawaiian students, cultivating leadership skills and empowering them to give back to their lāhui.
“To foster more student agency and nurture our future ʻōiwi leaders requires a thoughtful approach,” Vanessa Chang said. She is the student activity coordinator at KS Maui. “With these types of learning opportunities, we can develop students into confident and capable ʻōiwi leaders who are well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to their community and beyond.”
Pahukula received much praise for her on-camera presence, impressing the station anchors and crew. They even encouraged her to apply for an internship! After meeting three KS alumni at the station, she envisioned herself in the same career. Now, she plans to double major in anthropology and communications at Arizona State University, blending her love for cultural studies with her newfound talents.
“I am blessed to carry on the legacy of Pauahi,” Pahukula said. “Seeing her legacy live on through those grads and how they give back to our community, I hope to do that, too.”
The student team from left to right: Kailie Kalepa, Leilani Vares, Hokūala English, Jai Viela, Kamalei Pahukula, Caroline Sloper, Kadence Merritt, and Ikaika Baccos collaborated on the Maui campus’ "Spotlight Now: Student Edition."
Her fellow cohost and student government officer Jai Viela KSM’24 also dreams of making an impact but not necessarily in TV news. He hopes to become a community organizer, using his platform and public speaking skills to amplify community efforts. As the president of Maui’s Associated Students of Kamehameha Schools, he knows how important communication is and will study that field when he starts at Concordia University in the fall.
“In the political landscape, you have to be a great communicator to get your point across,” Viela said. “To be a respected leader and work with your community, communication is foundational.”
Despite his busy senior year filled with presidential duties, volleyball varsity team and college applications, Viela couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to participate in Spotlight Now. This was his first time interviewing experts on-camera and he says it was exhilarating to host their segment on civic engagement.
“It was an eye-opening experience seeing how much work goes into the news,” Viela said. “It was the real deal and exciting for us to do.”
As Pahukula and Viela embark on their college careers, they are grateful for the opportunities provided during their educational journey. Their experiences remind us of the power of education and what can happen when schools support students’ passions and diverse paths. By investing in haumāna, Kamehameha Schools fosters generations of ʻōiwi leaders who uplift their lāhui.
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ks maui,maui campus,student achievement,student experiences,student leadership,ʻōiwi leadership,recruitment
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Kaipuolono Article, Regions, Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i, Themes, Culture, Community, KS Announcements, Maui Newsroom, Maui High School, Newsroom, Maui, Oiwi Leaders, Maui campus
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