May. 6, 2016

Contributed by Nadine Lagaso

In celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week, nā pua a Pauahi (the flowers or children of Pauahi) generously shared their sentiments about their most influential Kamehameha Schools kumu. This story is dedicated to all teachers and mentors whose lessons, wisdom and guidance have helped learners flourish. Mahalo nui loa for all that you do!

KS Kapālama Instructional Observer Tatiana Fox honors:
Momi Akana, MS social studies kumu
Deane DeCastro, MS science kumu
Hōkū Ho‘ohuli, MS office administrator
Eric Kāne MS math kumu
Ingrid Lee, MS educational assistant and
Mele Pang, HS Hawaiian language kumu
“When I think of all my teachers who have influenced me over the years, I think of the ‘ōlelo no‘eau: I ulu nō ka lālā i ke kumu – The branches grow because of the trunk. I see myself as an extension of all those who have come before me, and my hope is that I continue to make them proud in all that I do.

“As I reflect on all my teachers here at Kamehameha Schools Middle School, it is no wonder that I am passionate about education and young adolescent Hawaiians. All the kumu that I listed above continue to be an inspiration to me and exemplify those committed to the practice of education by being life-long learners themselves.

“Some have pursued advanced degrees, published books, and become kumu hula through traditional, ‘ūniki rites all while continuing to teach the future of our lāhui. So, it’s no wonder that I have followed in their footsteps and am loving being a middle school educator… he lālā nō au i ku‘u kumu.”

KS Kapālama Middle School English kumu Christy Mishina honors
Middle School social studies kumu Brad Cooper
“I had Mr. Cooper when I was in the 7/8 Unit in the early eighties. We all loved him dearly. He was patient, kind, and had such aloha for all things Hawaiian. Mr. Cooper really took the time to connect with us and make us feel proud of who we were at the moment, and who we would grow to be as adults.

“When I returned to Kamehameha Schools as a teacher I was beyond privileged to work alongside Mr. Cooper for six years on Pūʻulu ʻOhe. He was still the amazing teacher he always was, but I got see him in action behind the scenes, which was a little different from the perspective I had as a student.

“As a colleague I learned that Mr. Cooper was funny (it's an acquired taste, but hilarious nonetheless), talented (truly a jack-of-all-trades), and that he was a true advocate for haumāna. He was never afraid to do or say what he thought was best for our students. I love him and will miss him terribly when he retires this year.”

KS Maui High School Principal Leo Delatori honors
KS Kapālama Boarding Director Charmain Wong
“Born and raised in Lahaina, Maui, I became a boarder at Kamehameha Schools during my sophomore year, Mrs. Wong asked to serve as one of the representatives on the Dormitory Residence Advisory Council (DRAC). During this time, I had no idea what I was getting into or why I was chosen for this position. I had no desire to be involved in any form of student government, yet she reassured me by sharing her confidence in my ability to represent those from Lunalilo Dormitory.

“Over the next three years I came to value the time I spent learning in this important calling and recognized the life skills I learned from the adult advisors and leadership provided by Mrs. Wong. Just as she did for me and my Kamehameha Schools peers, Mrs. Wong continues to guide young Hawaiian youth by teaching collaboration and cooperation – that a group of individuals can come together to make decisions that affect those with whom they represent.

“For me she was the individual with the soft encouraging voice that allowed me to take those little confidence-building steps as a 10th grader to the work I now do at Kamehameha Schools Maui. I now work alongside Mrs. Wong (yes, I have a hard time calling her anything else) as part of our tri-campus administrative group.

“Mahalo Mrs. Wong for your patience and guidance during my years at Kamehameha.”

KS Kapālama High School speech kumu Nicholas Ernst honors
High School Spanish kumu Ximena Carias-Hill
“By far one of the most memorable teachers I ever had, Señora Hill, was instilling values of 21st century learning well before its en vogue usage amongst the erudite in education. I had her for my first year of Spanish in ninth grade, and our classes were filled with loud lessons and lots of humor.

“Besides establishing the foundation and discipline for basic language acquisition, ’one of the most important lessons I learned from Señora was how impossible it is to do anything well without being bad at it first. Knowledge and skill contain equal parts what to do and what not to do.

“She inspired me to study Spanish for six years and then venture into French, Tagalog, and Korean. She fosters a sense of worldliness and challenges students to put themselves out there even when they aren’t 100-percent certain of the answers. And she does so with patience and a light heart.

“After all, donde hay gana, hay maña. Where there is desire, there is ability. Never be afraid to work hard for your dreams. ¡Gracias por todo, señora!”

KS Hawaiʻi social studies kumu Ipolani Wright honors
her kumu from days gone by in her story, "A Kumu Moʻolelo"
Read the heartfelt story of KS Hawaiʻi Social Studies kumu Ipolani Wright, who pays tribute to her many Kamehameha teachers and role models from elementary to high school, including her sixth grade kumu – former U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, and high school Principal Gladys Brandt. Wright and her classmates of the KS class of 1966 will celebrate their 50-year class reunion in June!

KSK Instructional Observer Tatiana Fox (center) and English kumu Christy Mishina (not shown) honor their kumu and mentors including (l-r): KS MS Office Administrator Hōkū Ho‘ohuli, Educational Assistant Ingrid Lee, science kumu Deane DeCastro, and social studies kumu Momi Akana and Brad Cooper.

KSM High School Principal Leo Delatori (r) credits KSK Boarding Director Charmain Wong (l) for instilling confidence in him to be a leader.

KSK HS speech kumu Nicholas Ernst (r) learned from Spanish kumu Ximena Carias-Hill that it’s impossible to do anything well without being bad at it first.

KSH social studies kumu Ipolani Wright lets her passion flow in “A Kumu Moʻolelo.” Click on the link below the story to read her story.

Nā Pua a Pauahi honor their most influential teachers