When ʻohana drop off their keiki at Kamehameha Schools Preschools, they see bright smiles, warm hugs and the nurturing presence of caring kumu. What they may not see is the unseen layer of care happening behind the scenes: staff preparing to respond in the event of a crisis. 

Recently, 31 new KS Preschools staff completed crisis response training led by Blue Line Solutions, a team of active and retired law enforcement and first responders who provide specialized safety training for schools and churches across the pae ʻāina. This hands-on training, now part of KSP’s required onboarding for new kumu and staff, is designed to build the tools, confidence and readiness needed to act decisively in a crisis.  

“In this day and age, we have to think about the threats of violence that our keiki and kumu might be forced to encounter,” said Gabe Naeole, the operations director for KS Preschools. “Hopefully we’ll never have to use this training, but if we ever do, our staff will be prepared and ready to take action with confidence.” 

Participants learned techniques to assess fast-changing situations, make sound decisions and most importantly, keep keiki safe. Simple tools, like whistles on lanyards, were introduced to alert an entire site quickly in case of danger.  

“Physically going through the drills was extremely valuable,” shared kumu Ana Collado of KS Preschools - Kikiwelawela, who led an evacuation drill with other kumu acting as keiki. This is one of many hands-on training scenarios where staff got to practice the skills they learned to ensure they walk away with practical knowledge grounded in local realities.  

“These exercises cause you not to freeze up,” trainer Steve Froeschle explained. “In an emergency, we don’t rise to the occasion — we fall back on our training. That’s why practice is so important.” 

The training also underscored an important truth: gun violence is not only a problem on the continent. Tragic incidents at Xerox, Sand Island, and the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, are sobering reminders that Hawaiʻi is not immune. 

The training included situational assessments, threat recognition and quick decision-making under stress.  

“Action is faster than reaction,” Craig Tavares, the KS Preschools safety manager said. “The faster we respond to a situation, the more we increase the chances for survivorship. Prepared, not paranoid — that’s our goal.” 

By investing in this preparation, KS Preschools reaffirms its proactive approach to safety. Alongside regular fire and evacuation drills, staff training, and other security measures, this effort represents the depth of care that goes unseen by most ‘ohana. 

“Before learning, keiki need to feel safe and comfortable,” Shanda Sanchez, kumu at KS Preschools - Nānākuli said. “We are blessed to be trained and be more aware, even though these are scenarios we pray we will never encounter.” 

At KS Preschools, every kumu enters the classroom ready to nurture, teach and inspire. But they also stand ready to protect. That unseen readiness — quiet but steadfast — exists in all 89 KS Preschools classrooms across the pae ʻāina. By equipping kumu and staff with the skills to respond quickly and effectively to safety threats, KS Preschools ensures every child can focus on what matters most—learning, growing, and dreaming big. 

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