Dec. 22, 2014

Contributed by Elizabeth Ahana

What do a videographer who captures the stories of Hawaiʻi’s people, a high schooler who crafted cozy blankets for a community hospital, and college students paving the way for Hawaiian language on the Continent have in common?

All of these leaders are children of Kamehameha Schools founder Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, whose birthday we celebrate on December 19. The leaders have honored Pauahi’s vision by becoming agents of social change, improving the lives Native Hawaiians and the greater Hawaiʻi community.

A new landing page www.ksbe.edu/imua_kamehameha is home to the many stories told by KS and news outlets about the many ways a Kamehameha education has contributed to their lives.

Each story will:

• Illustrate KS alumni and students’ ability to kūlia (strive) for academic excellence and cultivate a desire for lifelong learning
• Recognize KS is a loina (values)-based organization grounded in Christian and Hawaiian values, and
• Demonstrate that KS schools have instilled hoʻomau (perseverance) in students enabling them to fulfill their legacies to be industrious, service-oriented, young men and women.

More inspirational stories are shared on the I Mua Kamehameha landing page. They profile KS students, alumni, and even staff members who are channeling their intellect, energy and passion toward improving the capability and well-being of Native Hawaiians now, and for generations to come. Look for #imuakamehameha on Facebook and Twitter to view more stories.

The following video, “Forever Indebted to Her,” shares the story of three KS alumni, each hailing from one of three Kamehameha Schools campuses. The story culminates with the alumni thanking Pauahi and pledging to perpetuate her legacy in the years to come.