April 29, 2007
Contributed by Thomas Yoshida
Representatives from the charter schools accepted the donation in ceremonies held on Kamehameha's Kapälama campus on April 28.
A total of 60 alumni classes from the years 1940 to 2005 participated in the project. Kamehameha Schools offers a variety of support to Hawaiian-focused charters through its Ho'olako Like program, including contributing $1 for every $4 the state provides to these schools.
"Our goal was to have Kamehameha Schools alumni engage in a unified way to reach out to the children from these charter schools where the majority of students are Hawaiian," said Gerry Johansen, a 1960 Kamehameha alumna who serves as the alumni administrator for PAR. "Hopefully this donation will help meet some of their needs having to do with supplies, materials and equipment. This is a way for us to give back to the Hawaiian community through education, a value demonstrated to us by Kamehameha Schools' founder, Bernice Pauahi Bishop."
The Ho'olako Like charter schools are: Hakipu'u Learning Center, Halau Ku Mana, Halau Lokahi, Ka 'Umeke Ka'eo Hawai'i Immersion PCS, Ka Waihona 'o Ka Na'auao, Kanu 'o Ka 'Aina, Kanuikapono, Ke Kula Ni'ihau o Kekaha Learning Center, Ke Kula 'o Nāwahīokalani'opu'u Iki Laboratory PCS, Ke Kula 'o Samuel M. Kamakau, Kua O Ka La, and Kula Aupuni Ni'ihau a Kahelelani Aloha.
Kamehameha alumni classes also donated an additional $1,500 to the Kokua Fund, which provides financial assistance to needy students at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in areas not covered by financial aid. The fund is administered by the Association of Teachers and Parents.
Principal Laara Allbrett '70 (center with blue dress) and cultural advisor Hina Wong '90 (front row, far right) along with students and staff of Halau Lokahi, who entertained during the April 28 presentation.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
