October 28, 2015
On October 14, 2015 while underclassmen took tests on campus, over 400 haumāna (students) from KS Kapālama's Class of 2016 were mobilized to 12 different service sites across O‘ahu for their annual "Senior Service Day" project.
Around 50 student volunteers helped to lead this student-driven project under the guidance of Senior Service Day coordinator, Kale Kau‘i. "Our haumāna were excited to serve these communities of O‘ahu because they know that being pa‘ahana, or productive, activates a na‘au-based wisdom that cannot be obtained within the four walls of the classroom," said Kau‘i.
Homerooms partnered with H3 Native Hawaiian Garden, Hawai‘i Nature Center, Kahana Valley, Keiki O Ka ‘Āina Family Learning Center, Livable Hawai‘i Kai Hui, Lunalilo Home, Lyon Arboretum, Mālama Loko Ea Fishpond, Onelau‘ena Homeless Shelter, UH Mānoa's Punalu‘u Lo‘i, Waikalua Loko Fishpond, and Kamehameha School's Hawaiian Cultural Garden, Keanakamanō. Service projects ranged from restoring cultural sites and fishponds to connecting with kūpuna through ho‘okanipila, hula dancing, talking story, and assisting grounds crew with maintenance work.
In wake of the recent homeless epidemic, haumāna connected the classroom to the community by reaching out to Onelau‘ena Homeless Shelter in Kapōlei. 45 students and teachers rolled their sleeves and mowed the lawn, sorted bins of clothes, moved and organized office storage inventory and met with homeless families who shared their stories of resilience and hope. Families thanked the students for their kōkua and encouraged them to take the high road by "doing right," getting an education, and graduating from high school.
Another special partnership was with the "Livable Hawai‘i Kai Hui," which is the non-profit organization that cares for Kamehameha's Hāwea Heiau and Keawāwa Wetlands. This historical partnership was a first for the Hui, who was excited about the opportunity for Pauahi's children to reconnect with her legacy lands. After completing their service, kumu (teachers) and haumāna took a tour of the area and offered an oli mahalo (chant of gratitude) to thank the ‘āina (land) and kānaka (people) who blessed their visit.
Mahalo piha to Kamehameha Kapālama's Class of 2016 for sharing your servant hearts with our community!
For more information about Kamehameha Kapālama High School's Character and Christian Education initiatives, please email dokaui@ksbe.edu or call (808) 842-8498.
If your division or campus has pics to share, please send them along with background information and captions to ksonline@ksbe.edu.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
