July 24, 2026
Living the values of mālama, kuleana, and aloha, Kamehameha Schools Preschools keiki, kumu, and ʻohana came together this year to raise an inspiring $4,005.05 for the Pauahi Foundation. Through pennies donated, miles walked, and numerous acts of generosity, our youngest learners demonstrated the power of working together to uplift others.
As more KS Preschools across the pae ʻāina join the fundraising effort, Pennies for Pauahi continues to grow as a meaningful opportunity for keiki and ʻohana to support haumāna advancing to higher education. Rooted in Hawaiian culture-based education, the campaign gives keiki authentic ways to practice mālama, strengthen pilina, and contribute to the wellbeing of the lāhui.
“At a very young age, nā pua a Pauahi are learning that leadership is rooted in pilina and strengthened through service,” Pauahi Foundation Executive Director Pono Maʻa says. “By supporting fellow haumāna, keiki begin to see themselves as contributors to a thriving lāhui. If our youngest learners can work together to raise thousands of dollars for others, there is no telling what they will be capable of as future leaders. Their potential is limitless when guided by aloha and a commitment to serve.”
Across the preschool system, communities found creative ways to give. At KS Preschools Heʻeia and Haleʻiwa, keiki and ‘ohana participated in Walk for Pauahi events, turning every step into scholarship support for college students. At KS Preschools Hāmākua, a Giving Tree inspired generosity throughout the Christmas season. Other preschool sites encouraged participation through classroom collection jars, where keiki eagerly added coins and watched their contributions grow over time.
The campaign showed that every act of giving matters. Classroom collections ranged from 1,905 pennies ($19.05) to an impressive 91,408 pennies ($914.08) collected by Papa ʻŌhiʻa Lehua at KS Preschool Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island. Collectively, KS Preschool Waimea raised the highest overall amount, contributing $1,258.22 to the campaign total.
“As participation continues to grow, so does the opportunity for keiki to practice the KSP core values of aloha, mālama, and kuleana,” Kamehameha Preschools Poʻo Kula Shelli Kim says. “With every penny donated, our keiki are making the choice to show aloha, care for others, and contribute to something greater than themselves. Through these experiences, they are learning that generosity has the power to uplift communities and create a brighter future for all.”
Through Pennies for Pauahi, keiki experienced the E Ola! Learner Outcomes in action, discovering that ʻōiwi leadership is rooted in aloha and expressed through compassion and service to others. The campaign brought to life the ʻōlelo noʻeau, “ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia”— no task is too great when done together. Across the pae ʻāina, thousands of small acts of generosity became a powerful expression of aloha and a reminder that the future of our lāhui is bright. Today, these young learners are collecting pennies; tomorrow, they will help shape the future of the lāhui.
Eō e nā keiki kula kamaliʻi!
Kumu and haumāna from Kamehameha Schools Preschools Kalihi-Pālama proudly celebrate the funds their kula raised through the Pennies for Pauahi campaign. Together they showed how small acts of giving can create opportunities for growth and strengthen the legacy of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi for future generations.