Jan. 8, 2025

The latest buzz about Kamehameha Schools includes everything from major charitable contributions to championship victories! From student entrepreneurs to alumni making waves in Hollywood, here’s your quick roundup of KS in the news.

GENERAL

• How Kamehameha Schools aims to bring abundance back to Lahaina (Hawaii News Now)
  Committed to the revitalization of Lahaina, the plan includes forest restoration, aquifer recharge and community initiatives.
   
• Kamehameha listed in the top 5 most charitable organizations (Hawaii Business Magazine)
  Hawai‘i’s 107 most charitable companies donated over $300 million and 93,040 volunteer hours to local nonprofits in 2023, with significant contributions supporting Maui's recovery efforts.
   
• Affordable rental units open in Kapolei (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
  The first preschool in Parkway Village at Kapolei, established through a collaboration between KS and the Kobayashi Group, will be operated by Parents And Children Together.

EDUCATION

• Hawaii’s Generation Z Has A Responsibility To Vote (Honolulu Civil Beat)
  Kamehameha Schools Maui senior Reece Dean wrote about the importance of voter engagement for his generation in this column.
   
• Hawaiʻi students want to lead the way to more plant-based diets (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
  The columnist notes that most schools have yet to provide plant-based meal options, except for KS, which has been a leader in offering locally produced, farm-to-table foods and plant-based meals daily.
   
• 13-year-old from Kamehameha Schools turns artistic talent into successful business (KHON2)
  Colton Dadez creates ocean-inspired resin art under his business, Kailoa’s Kreations.
   
• Nurturing the next generation of ‘ōiwi leaders (Ka Wai Ola)
  Kamehameha Schools is nurturing the next generation of ʻōiwi leaders through educational programs that emphasize Hawaiian culture, language and values.

KAIĀULU

• ‘A powerful expression of Aloha ʻĀina’ (Kauaʻi Now)
  Over 300 middle and high school students from Kauaʻi and Niʻihau celebrated Lā Kūʻokoʻa at Kauaʻi Community College, participating in cultural activities and Makahiki games.

‘ĀINA PAUAHI

• Hawaii’s largest, original street festival attracts thousands to Kaka’ako (Yahoo! News)
  The latest Honolulu Night Market drew thousands to Kakaʻako, featuring local vendors, entertainment and activities for all ages.
   
• Hōkūleʻa visits West Hawaiʻi communities during statewide sail (Maui News)
  During the two-week visit, the famous crew engaged with local schools and residents in cultural and educational activities.
   
• Oahu golf course reopens as Pearl at Kalauao following renovation (Pacific Business News)
  The Pearl at Kalauao golf course on Oʻahu has reopened after extensive renovations, featuring upgraded facilities and a new name to honor its historical and cultural significance.
   
• Mōʻiliʻili retail space getting much-needed makeover (KHON2)
  KS aims to modernize the area into a diverse town center with authentic cultural experiences.
   
• Survey: Residents identify top site for Lahaina’s new elementary school (Hawaii News Now)
  Most West Maui residents prefer the undeveloped Kuʻia site for the permanent location of King Kamehameha III Elementary School, with 51% choosing it over Pulelehua.

 

EMPLOYEE ʻOHANA

• Adamant about authenticity (Ka Wai Ola)
  Lāiana Kanoa-Wong, a KS cultural consultant, worked with Disney's Oceanic Cultural Trust to ensure the authentic representation of Pacific island cultures in the film “Moana 2.”

ATHLETICS

• Kamehameha-Maui concludes dominant run, wins D-II state title (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
  KS Maui won its first Division II state football championship with a strong 37-14 victory over Kaiser.
   
• Kamehameha girls' volleyball state champs celebrate back-to-back wins (Hawaii News Now)
  With 25 titles in the program’s history, the Kapālama teams returned to the HNN studio to talk about their win against ‘Iolani.
   
• Hawaiʻi student athletes celebrate National Signing Day (KHON2)
  High school student-athletes across Hawaiʻi celebrated National Signing Day by committing to various collegiate programs, with notable signings including several standout athletes joining the University of Hawaiʻi.
   
• Pa‘ani Challenge big draw for Hawaii, mainland wrestlers (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
  The all-girls tournament drew significant participation with Hawaiʻi athletes performing exceptionally well and crowning 28 new champions.

ALUMNI

• Meet the real-life Hawaiʻi lifeguard starring in “Rescue: HI-Surf” (Hawaiʻi Magazine)
  Former Honolulu lifeguard Kekoa Kekumano KSK’16 stars in the new TV series "Rescue: HI-Surf," which dramatizes the lives of lifeguards on Oʻahu’s North Shore.
   
• ‘The Queen's Flowers’ celebrates Hawaii’s Queen Lili’uokalani’s legacy of love and forgiveness (Animated World Network)
  The animated short film "The Queen's Flowers" by Ciara Leinaʻala Lacy KSK’98 celebrates Queen Liliʻuokalani's legacy of love and forgiveness through the story of a young girl who creates a special gift for the mōʻī.
   
• Reclaiming space for the lāhui in the halls of power (Ka Wai Ola)
  Patrick Pihana Branco KSK’05 has become the first Native Hawaiian White House Fellow, aiming to bring a Native Hawaiian perspective to federal policy-making.
   
• Auliʻi Cravalho opens up about full-circle moment buying her mom a house after Moana success (People Magazine)
  The Kapālama grad’s success has allowed her mother to retire early.
   
• Native Hawaiian artists in LA debut new single paying homage to Hawaiʻi (Hawaiʻi Public Radio)
  Francis Gora and Kekaulele Kawaiaea KSK’19, known as Franskiiz and Lelz, are the first Native Hawaiian duo to be signed to Def Jam Records, releasing their first single in Los Angeles.