Nov. 24, 2025
The steady rhythm of footsteps and chatter filled the ʻAʻapueo hills as hundreds of haumāna, kumu and ʻohana from Kamehameha Schools Maui took part in the first campus-wide Miles 4 Smiles walkathon in a show of hope for mental health and suicide prevention.
“It’s a touchy subject… especially talking about it with kids,” said Dean of Students Kekaula Campbell. “But I believe talking openly about it helps, so we don’t feed into that stigma where…it feels like there’s no support.”
What began in the middle school division grew this September into a K-12 effort, bringing everyone from kindergartners to seniors together for a shared purpose. Each participant carried a Miles 4 Smiles card, marking a smiley face for every lap completed with the initiative’s guide to LAP: listen, ask questions and pray.
Kumu Choong Man Kim said the walk relates to lessons taught in the Christian education classroom, referencing 3 John 2: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
“When we’re physically active and in community, our emotions and faith flourish,” Kim said. “I believe that’s what Pauahi wanted — for the Hawaiian culture and Christian values to flourish.”
The effort united the entire school ʻohana across grades and departments with the security team ensuring everyone’s safety along the route. Campus and enterprise leadership also joined in step, with CEO Jack Wong and Poʻo Kula Dr. Scott Parker walking side by side with students, extending the event’s message beyond campus.
“One mom told me, ‘Every time I go on walks with my child, I do all the talking. This reminded me to listen,’” Kim said.
For Campbell, that sense of connection and care is exactly the goal.
“We’re modeling what we want to see our kids do: a healthy activity…where we can support each other,” Campbell said. “And it’s cool to see our leaders doing that.”
Beyond Miles 4 Smiles, KS Maui continues to nurture student well-being through programs that build belonging, like Team ʻŌpeʻapeʻa. Better known as “Bat Club” , the group links conservation with community as students advocate for the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat through creative projects like coloring books, presentations and even a video game.
On “foraging nights,” members gather for a potluck to observe the nocturnal mammals, blending learning, ʻāina stewardship and fellowship under the glow of the Kula sky.
“Initially, this club was to build social connections,” Campbell said. “Kids show up, grow closer to each other and produce good work because they trust each other. It is a safe space.”
Whether through service, prayer, or simply walking side by side, Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha Maui’s approach to wellness is rooted in pilina. As the season of gratitude approaches, students and staff continue to reflect on what it means to walk in aloha, carrying Pauahi’s legacy of faith and compassion forward.