Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter, Nov. 13

Hawai'i State Department of Education sent this bulletin at 11/13/2024 12:25 PM HST

Nov. 13

KEEP In the Loop with SuperIntendant Keith T. Hayashi-Template

KEEP Superintendent Keith T. Hayashi-Template

Aloha, HIDOE Community –

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter.

Regional kitchens
Thanks to strong legislative support, we’re excited to share that the first regional kitchen will be constructed as a design-build project in Central O‘ahu. The facility will be built to produce enough meals to serve all students in the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua Complex Area. The regional kitchen is a major step toward our goal of incorporating more locally sourced food in school menus, as outlined in Acts 175 and 176 (SLH 2021). These laws set ambitious targets for local food sourcing in our public schools: by 2030, at least 30% of the food purchased for school meals must be locally sourced, with that number increasing to 50% by 2050. We are in the process of negotiating a contract with the construction firm, with construction expected to be completed in 2027.

Mahalo to our donors
Mahalo to the Las Vegas Raiders for their generous donation of $25,000 to support our upcoming inaugural girls flag football season! I’m excited to share that a total of 46 of our public and public charter schools have committed to forming a girls flag football team this year, along with eight private schools. All of the athletic leagues will be represented, which means that there will be a state championship this spring.

Lahaina Intermediate School Principal Stacy Bookland (fourth from right) and her broadcast media students accept a donation check from Skechers president Michael Greenberg on Nov. 8 at the company’s new store in Kahului. Credit: Chanel Honda / HIDOE Communications Branch

On Maui, the president of Skechers donated $25,000 to Lahaina Intermediate School through AdoptAClassroom.org for educational support. The funds will be divided equally among the school's teaching staff, empowering them to access classroom resources that will directly benefit students and enhance their learning experiences.

DonorsChoose fall campaign
Mahalo to Marc and Lynne Benioff for their generous contributions toward our $2.5 million fall campaign to fund classroom projects through DonorsChoose. More than 3,500 teachers at 268 campuses – including 251 HIDOE schools and 17 charter schools – received $750 in funding through the campaign, enabling them to bring essential and innovative resources into their classrooms. With projects submitted on the nonprofit education crowdfunding platform DonorsChoose, the campaign bolsters teaching in diverse subjects – from STEM to mental health resources – supporting teachers' visions to enrich their classrooms with critical learning tools. See examples of fully funded projects here.

The Benioffs are one of our largest independent funders and we are grateful for their partnership over the years that has delivered significant benefits to our schools.

Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week

Hickam Elementary School’s early childhood special education and kindergarten classes took a field trip to the Honolulu Theatre for Youth on Nov. 6 to see Forest Flutters: A Bird-Day Party. Students "put on their binoculars" to explore the forest and learn about the different birds that can be found in Hawai‘i.

Credit: Elizabeth Short / Hickam Elementary School

Submit your public school-related image from this school year for a chance to be featured as next week’s Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week!

Student Voice: How my volunteer service is intertwined with my community

Kea‘au High School student Jazmine Adolfo, left, said her late grandmother Jodie Doronio is her inspiration for volunteering with the American Cancer Society. Credit: Jazmine Adolfo

By Jazmine Adolfo

My grandmother was my light in life. She was a good person who believed in being kind and supportive to others. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer my life became a bit gray. At the time, my naivete was my biggest shortcoming. As a nine-year-old girl I didn't understand what and who was at stake here. There wasn't much I could do besides spoon feed her and cuddle close to her frail body. It wasn’t until she was gone that I realized I didn’t do enough to help her. The loss of her gave me the willpower to support others who live or take care of those with cancer. I decided to dedicate my time to attend and serve at the Relay for Life. I feel as though she would want to be remembered and honored by one of her grandchildren, and my grandmother was like my Wonder Woman.

The program itself is dedicated to raising money for cancer research through the American Cancer Society, sponsored by people from all over the nation. The volunteer-led experience unites communities to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, loved ones we've lost. Every cent is donated toward providing treatments and someday, a cure. The event has raised over $400 million dollars annually and recently helped fund research grants, patient support and Hope Lodge. I decided to attend the event and help stations. I worked as a runner on the track, making laps while making money. I also worked as a booth worker for the carnival games and donated my own money to give my part to the research of cancer. The event over the years has increased income as well as bringing more people together. We've become such a tight knit family that we spread our message to the world and our community is always growing. We've continued to raise millions of dollars towards the American Cancer Society.

My first job with Relay for Life was the luminary, each lightbox symbolizing a loved one. It was a bit heart wrenching to watch the boxes light up, it was a bittersweet reminder of the lives lost to cancer. Watching people honor the lives of patients was truly inspiring and heartwarming, This is where I belong. Through my service, I feel like I got closure for the loss of my grandmother and I was able to give closure to others. This really gave me a purpose in my life.

Read full column

Jazmine Leilani Adolfo is a senior at Kea‘au High School and is the youngest of four daughters. Her goal is to make a difference in her school and her community. She volunteers with the American Cancer Society’s charity walk Relay for Life.

Jazmine is one of five HIDOE student winners in the Access to Justice Commission’s 2024 statewide high school essay contest. Their essays addressed the theme, “Lei poʻo: How my volunteer service is intertwined with my community.”

Read the other winning student essays from:

Ethan Yang, Kaiser High School
Jeremiah Magallones, Nānākuli High School
Daphne Takahashi, Maui High School
Rowan Satta-Ellis, Konawaena High School

#HIPublicSchoolsProud

Social media highlights of the most engaging posts of the week.
Use the #HIPublicSchoolsProud hashtag for a chance to be featured!

Kaua‘i High School Student Association

» CKMS Visit! We welcomed the class of 2029 on our campus to learn about the various electives we have at Kaua‘i High. They got to tour and visit our elective showcase in the new gym 😁 Let’s go, future red raiders!

Waihe‘e Elementary School

» Congratulations to our FLL robotics team! They represented Waihe’e well and qualified for the State Tournament in December. Go Robo Warriors! A huge mahalo to our Robo Warrior ‘Ohana for coming out to support our team and cheering us on! Super appreciate all of you!

Kaiser High School

» Cougar Surf Team made their debut yesterday! Mahalo to all of the team members, advisors and supporters for making this possible. Cheeeee-Hu! Catch them Saturday, Nov. 16th at Sandy’s Full Point. Go Cougars! 💙🌊💛

Important Dates & Upcoming Events

National School Psychology Week: Nov. 11-15
Nov. 13: Board of Education Human Resources Committee meeting
Nov. 28: Thanksgiving (schools and state offices closed)
Nov. 29: Day after Thanksgiving (schools and state offices closed)

In 1990, students from which Hawai‘i Island high school constructed a solar car and drove across Australia to win first place in the high school division of the World Solar Challenge? A 1996 film starring Halle Berry and James Belushi alongside Casey Affleck, Eliza Dushku, and Kevin Tighe called “Race the Sun” is loosely based on this true story.

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School
Kealakehe High School
Keaʻau High School
Konawaena High School

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

Alumni Spotlight

Globally competitive, locally committed

Keaka Lee

Occupation: Chef-Owner
What school you grad? Kalani High School ‘03
College: Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapi‘olani Community College
Location: Honolulu, HI

After graduating from Kalani High School in 2003, Honolulu native Keaka Lee was curious about the medical field and was interested in a career as a medical technician or a microbiologist. He eventually found his passion in cooking – his part-time jobs at the time were working as a cook in restaurants and he really enjoyed the hands-on, quick-paced environment.

He received his culinary and pastry arts degrees from the Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapi‘olani Community College in 2009 and worked with local chefs Russell Siu, Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi. Lee has worked in kitchens at 3660 on the Rise, Alan Wong’s and Pig and the Lady, and later continued his training in San Francisco and New York City. He worked two years at Gramercy Tavern and helped to open Untitled Restaurant and Studio Cafe at the Whitney Museum.

In December 2020, Lee opened Kapa Hale, a neighborhood eatery located in Kahala, just a mile away from his alma mater. He works with local farmers to create unique dining experiences highlighting modern Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine. In 2021, Kapa Hale won the Hale 'Āina Award for Best New Restaurant. In 2022, the restaurant won the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Publisher’s Choice Award followed by the ‘Ilima Award for Best of East O‘ahu in 2023. Lee has also been nominated as a 2023 James Beard Award Semi-Finalist.

Q: What are you up to these days?
A: I opened Kapa Hale restaurant in December 2020. After returning home from New York City, and reconnecting with the community through working with the Le Family at Pig and the Lady, I thought it was time. The space at the Kahala Korner (previously Central Bakery, Wahoo Tacos, etc.) had just become available and it seemed to be the perfect spot in the community I grew up in.

Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?
A: I am proud to be a graduate of Kalani, a public school. Kalani gave me the opportunity to express my creativity and try so many different things. From sports to student government, it was always fun trying new things.

Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?
A: Dennis Ohta, my physics teacher. He talked to us like adults and called us out on our nonsense. He was always honest, straight to the point and you could tell he cared.

Q: Favorite subject in school?
A: Student government. I surprised myself by becoming a class leader my senior year. It was fun planning class and school events and to have the opportunity to be a voice and make change for my classmates. I challenged the norm and shook up a lot of things.

Q: What advice do you have for students?
A: You don't have to figure out what you want to do today or tomorrow. Trust in the process and your journey. Continue to be honest, kind, and support others.

Superintendent Keith Hayashi, left, and Kalani High alum Keaka Lee are pictured with Kalani High School culinary students. Chef Lee and the students made vegetarian tacos and chicken tikka masala curry using local ingredients at the “Eat Think Drink” event on Oct. 29 at the Prince Waikiki hosted by the Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation. Credit: Nanea Ching / HIDOE Communications Branch

Are you or do you know someone who exemplifies the Hawai'i State Department of Education's mission to prepare all graduates to be globally competitive and locally committed? We are looking for individuals who graduated from a Hawai'i public school and are passionate about their communities. Please fill out this form for a chance to be featured as a future alumni spotlight.

HIDOE Headlines

A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.

» The Hawai'i Health and Harm Reduction Center held a Rainbow Prom at the Capitol Modern in Honolulu to provide a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth.

» A new plaque installed at McKinley High School on Monday by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in front of the statue of the school’s namesake aims to address the misrepresentation of Hawai‘i’s annexation history.

» Inmates at Halawa Correctional Facility earned their General Education Development diploma through the HIDOE’s Adult Education Program by passing four exams in reading/language arts, math, science and social studies.