Apr. 9, 2024

With exceptional athletes and innovative researchers, our expansive KS ‘ohana stands out. From Song Contest and Hōʻike to the stages of Merrie Monarch and the Maui Arts and Culture Center, KS students, alumni and employees exude excellence in all that they do.

Check out the latest “KS in the news” roundup to see how.

GENERAL NEWS

• Free MACC concert by the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus (Maui Now)
  The He Leo Aloha No Maui Concert will also feature guest performances by Kamaka Kukona and Hālau o Ka Hanu Lehua, Nāpua Silva and Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka o Uka, and Ikaika Blackburn, Halehaku Seabury and Keoni Souza of Nā Hoa.
  
   
• Kamehameha Schools aids statewide college financial assistance outreach efforts (Maui Now)
  Kamehameha Schools supported a series of scholarship fairs across the islands, collectively known as The Native Scholarship ʻAha Series.

ʻĀINA PAUAHI

• Oahu halau practice for Merrie Monarch on replica stage (KITV)
  The Paʻi Foundation partnered with Kamehameha Schools to lease space inside Dillingham Plaza, where they recreated a stage with the exact dimensions of the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium.
   
• Pop-up monarch butterfly garden among learning activities at Keiki Street Fair (Hawaii News Now)
  Kamehameha Schools and partners organized the Keiki Street Festival at SALT at Our Kakaʻako, offering interactive learning experiences and wholesome family fun for all.
   
• Fishpond purchase gives Waipā community protection from development (Hawaiʻi Public Radio)
  A traditional Hawaiian fishpond on Kauaʻi’s north shore is now permanently in the hands of the community.

EDUCATION

• Spotlight Now: Student edition tackles key issues impacting Maui (Hawaii News Now)
  KS Maui haumāna took the reins of this “Spotlight Now: Student Edition,” shedding light on Maui's most critical challenges.
   
• Maui 8th grader wins football youth division kicking competition in Las Vegas (Maui Now)
  KS Maui student Eli Kamakani Caires won the Kicking World Camp youth division kicking competition in Las Vegas, Nevada and was invited to the 2024 Kicking World National Showcase in Austin, Texas.
   
• At annual Song Contest, Kamehameha Schools student directors lead peers with pride (Hawaii News Now)
  The 104th Kamehameha Schools Song Contest celebrated the music of falsetto legend Bill Aliʻiloa Lincoln.
   
• Kamehameha students ready to rock (Hawaii Tribune-Herald)
  KS Hawaiʻi put on sold-out shows of “Kū I Ka Mana,” a reprisal of a rock opera to mark the 150th anniversary of the pivotal 1874 election between David Kalākaua and Queen Emma Rooke.

ALUMNI

• From hula to PhD: UH Hilo kumu shares ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi journey (University of Hawaiʻi News)
  Kekoa Harman KSK’95 recalls his ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi journey beginning in the seventh grade at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama.
   
• HFD’s first public information officer to be remembered (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
  Richard Soo KSK’69 quickly became one of the top Hawaii public information officers known for his accessibility and accuracy.
   
• 20 for the Next 20: Puananionaona Thoene, Carlsmith Ball (Hawaii Business News)
  Fluent in environmental law and ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, Puananionaona Thoene KSK'03 works to bring development in balance with the environment.

EMPLOYEE ʻOHANA

• Tech View: Homegrown — fighting food insecurity with agroforestry (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
  Natalie Kurashima of Kamehameha Schools has done exemplary research in agroforestry to fight food insecurity in the islands.
   
• The Job Of Preserving Oahu’s Historic Sites Is Complicated By The Push For Development (Honolulu Civil Beat)
  As the Oʻahu Historic Preservation Commission Chair, KS executive Kēhaunani Abad said she’s pleased with the board’s progress over the last eight months and is committed to working collaboratively to ensure efforts are streamlined and progress more smoothly.
   
• Sen. Hirono announces release of quarter honoring Maui’s Patsy T. Mink (Maui Now)
  Brandy Richardson, Kamehameha Schools co-athletic director and former Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Year joined Sen. Hirono and others in announcing the release of the new Patsy T. Mink quarter.

ATHLETICS

• Warriors ready to kick off new MIL season with new tech (The Maui News)
  KS Maui Warriors will be assisted by a Qubit device, an audio radio in the catcher’s helmet that allows coaches to communicate with players through a hand-held walkie-talkie-type device.
   
• Kamehameha’s Kezia Lucas was spotted as a potential two-sport star, but she picked softball (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
• KSK student Kezia Lucas showed promise in basketball and softball but picked the latter to pursue in earnest with incredible results in her freshman and sophomore years. She’s already become an unstoppable force now in her junior year.
   
• KSH baseball, softball extend win streaks against Ka‘u (West Hawaii Today)
  The Kamehameha Schools - Hawai‘i baseball and softball teams hosted Ka‘u High in BIIF Division II action in Kea‘au.
   
• Warriors remain undefeated with sweep of Na Aliʻi (The Maui News)
  Paʻu Spencer and Dylan Schnitzer each had nine kills to lead the undefeated Kamehameha Schools Maui boys volleyball team to a 25-18, 25-15, 25-21 sweep of King Kekaulike.
   
• KS Maui hosts 5th annual Ho‘omau Soccer Camp (The Maui News)
  About 50 players from Maui, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island participated in drills and scrimmages in front of coaches from NCAA, NAIA and junior college programs.
   
• Kamehameha volleyball star Harryzen Soares is learning on the fly (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
  Harryzen Soares made his name — and reputation — as a libero for Kamehameha’s boys volleyball team.