Kamehameha Schools’ story is best told by the people who live it day in and day out. Just before Founder’s Day last year, KS launched "Voices of Kamehameha" to help tell those stories that celebrate how students, employees and alumni have given life to the vision of KS founder Ke Ali’i Pauahi.

KS’ three campuses have annual events and traditions that intentionally connect students to their culture as Native Hawaiians.

Cultural efforts that took place decades ago are bearing fruit and a new generation of kānaka are taking the lead in the movement to celebrate their strong Hawaiian identities. 

Kamehameha Schools is fully committed to that movement and is strengthening its students’ sense of pride through these annual cultural events. To witness the strength of this movement, we asked Kamehameha students the question – “How have these annual campus traditions strengthened your connection to your culture?” 

The videos  on this page capture the voices of KS students sharing their manaʻo on how events like Song Contest, Hōʻike, Pōʻalima ʻUlaʻula and ʻAha Mele help them embrace their cultural identity.

This story is part of “I Mua Kamehameha,” an ongoing effort to celebrate the excellence of KS campus and community education programs. Inspirational stories will be shared throughout the year about KS servant leaders who are improving the lives of KS haumāna and contributing to a thriving Lāhui. 

Voices of Kamehameha: Kapālama Campus traditions

As Hawaiians, we identify with our ancestral heritage in different ways. We asked our KS Kapālama students to explain, in their own words, how events like Song Contest help them develop their sense of cultural identity. To see more stories of how KS students, staff and alumni are embracing their Native Hawaiian identity, visit http://www.ksbe.edu/imua_kamehameha

Voices of Kamehameha: Hawai’i Campus traditions

As Hawaiians, we identify with our ancestral heritage in different ways. We asked our students to explain, in their own words, how events like Hōʻike help them develop their sense of cultural identity.To see more stories of how KS students, staff and alumni are embracing their Native Hawaiian identity, visit http://www.ksbe.edu/imua_kamehameha

Hannah Patrick shares how Pōʻalima ʻUlaʻula and ʻAha Mele bring unity to the Maui campus.

Senior class song leaders Ian Imamura, Mikayla Ah Sam and Dillon Levai reflect on their Song Contest experiences.

KS Hawaiʻi sophomore Leiana Clark talks about what Hōʻike represents to her.

TAGS
maui campus,keaau campus,ks hawaii,kapalama,imua kamehameha,campus traditions,special event

CATEGORIES
Kaipuolono Article, I Mua Kamehameha, Newsroom, Campus Programs, Hawaii, Kapalama, Maui

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