It’s been an exciting year for Kamehameha Schools and its community partners! From forging collaborations with Hawaiʻi universities to historic preservation in Haleʻiwa, KS has made tremendous strides toward fulfilling its educational mission. The following KSOnline / I Mua Newsroom stories highlight some of the reasons to celebrate!
REASON NUMBER 10:
Early Education
KS celebrated the opening of its Community Learning Center at Mā‘ili, made possible by the Ka Pua Initiative. The center educates 245 preschoolers and 32 infants and toddlers through Kamehameha programs and early learning partnerships.
REASON NUMBER 9:
Top Teachers
KS’ Office for Educator Growth and Development helped 11 Kamehameha educators achieve certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. With 67 certified teachers, KS has more certified teachers than any other private school system in the nation!
REASON NUMBER 8:
SALT in Kakaʻako
Last year KS started construction on SALT – a curated retail and food destination in Kakaʻako slated to open in early 2016. The project includes an eclectic mix of local retailers, eateries and boutiques, as well as gathering spaces.
REASON NUMBER 7:
Sustainability Strategies
Kamehameha’s energy-saving efforts earned the trust nearly $130,000 in rebates from the Hawaii Energy Program. Those energy-saving initiatives save about 740,000 kilowatt hours of energy annually!
REASON NUMBER 6:
The Dawn of a New Direction
More than 70 Kamehameha Schools leaders came together at dawn on July 29 to mark the official launch of KS’ Strategic Plan 2020 and to affirm their commitment to leading the plan over the next five years.
REASON NUMBER 5:
ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi for All
Kamehameha employees began building a foundation of Hawaiian language through monthly classes led by KS’ Hoʻokahua Cultural Vibrancy Group. The classes feature a fun and friendly learning environment designed specifically for adult learners.
REASON NUMBER 4:
Post-High Partnerships
Last year, KS formalized partnerships with the University of Hawai‘i System and Chaminade University of Honolulu to help Native Hawaiian learners achieve postsecondary success, marking significant progress on KS’ Strategic Plan 2020.
REASON NUMBER 3:
Historic Preservation
The American Planning Association presented KS with its Environment/Preservation award for the redevelopment of Haleʻiwa Store Lots, calling the North Shore commercial center “a new standard for local historic preservation projects.”
REASON NUMBER 2:
Kahaluʻu Ma Kai Milestone
Support from community, education and cultural leaders helped KS receive approval for a permit to remove the former Keauhou Beach Hotel, the first step in building a 21st-century educational complex that will serve as a piko for Hawaiian ʻāina-based education.
AND THE NUMBER 1 reason Kamehameha Schools had a fab fiscal year:
Its Employee ‘Ohana
The Kamehameha Schools employee ‘ohana has grown to more than 2,200 staffers across the state. Each employee shares the same kuleana: To build a vibrant future for Native Hawaiians through education.
Read about more ways Kamehameha Schools is moving its educational mission forward in the trust’s newly released FY2015 Annual Report.
Kamehameha staffers, including Davi Kunishige and Lan Tu, began Hawaiian language lessons led by KS’ Hoʻokahua Cultural Vibrancy Group.
KS formalized partnerships with the UH System to help Hawaiian learners achieve postsecondary success. Above, KS CEO Jack Wong and UH System President David Lassner sign a memorandum of understanding for the KS-UH partnership.
KS helped 11 KS educators achieve certification. Among them are: Lori Murakami, Kristi Gonzales, Lehua Gerboc-Naulangi, Kelly Vuikadavu, Teacher Kamaka Parker, and Kimberly Cabral.
KS celebrated the opening of its Community Learning Center at Mā‘ili which educates nearly 300 keiki through KS programs and early learning partnerships.
KS’ energy-saving efforts earned nearly $130,000 in rebates from Hawaii Energy. Above, in black: KS Sustainability Manager Amy Brinker, Managing Director of Finance Ben Salazar, and Facilities Director Therese Rosier. Also pictured are Hawaii Energy Director of Business Operations Larry Newman (L) and Jr. Business Program Specialist Ian Tierney (R).
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Kaipuolono Article, Employee ‘Ohana, Newsroom, Community Education, Department News, Features
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