September 2, 2016
KS service awardees based at Kawaiahaʻo Plaza commemorated their milestone years at Mauna ʻAla, the final resting place of the schools’ founder Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The special ceremony was planned and coordinated by KS’ Human Resources and Hoʻokahua Cultural Vibrancy groups.
During the month preceding the ceremony, service award honorees had the opportunity to learn mele, an oli, and how to craft palapalai fern lei and ti leaf pūʻolo. All were presented as hoʻokupu (ceremonial gifts) at Mauna ʻAla in honor of Princess Pauahi. After the ceremony, the honorees were treated to a luncheon at Natsunoya Tea House, hosted by the executive leadership team – ‘Aha Kūlia.
This year, the KS ‘ohana celebrated the dedicated service of nearly 400 faculty and staff members at ceremonies across the state.
Mahalo to KS photographer Michael Young who captured highlights of the honorees' cultural journey in the pics below.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
