October 30, 2013
Contributed by Pakalani Bello
Nae'ole Hale is the boy's dormitory, named after the chief of Kohala, who ran the newborn Kamehameha from Kokoiki to 'Āwini and helped raise the young Kamehameha. Kaha'ōpūlani Hale is the girl's dormitory, named for the daughter of Luahine and Hiku'ikekuaona, who received and helped raise the newborn Kamehameha in 'Āwini. Both buildings are three stories high with the first two floors having rooms for students, a large communal bathroom and apartments for dormitory staff. The top floor in both dorms include conference rooms, study rooms, an office, a laundry room, a kitchen, one staff apartment and a large lounge area.
The dedication included 'oki i ka piko (cutting of the umbilical cord) ceremonies for both buildings, KS Kapālama middle school boarding students and staff performances and protocol, including oli (chants) and hula to commemorate the day.
Construction on the two middle school dormitory buildings started in August, 2012, the fifth major project to be completed on the Kapālama campus under the Ke Kupu Mālamalama campus renovation project. The Koai'a Physical Education and Athletics facility was completed in January, 2012. The main middle school buildings were completed in August, 2012, with the completion of the Ka'iwakīloumoku Hawaiian Culture Center in October, 2012, and most recently, the seven-level, 477-stall parking structure completed in February, 2013.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
