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Jan. 22
Editorial Mission: As the Department's primary publication, we aim to live up to the meaning of ha‘aheo – to cherish with pride – by bolstering and sustaining pride in public education and touting the successes happening across our system.
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Aloha, HIDOE Community –
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter.
Proposed fee increases for school programs under review
The Department recently proposed phased increases for summer school, student activities, and meal prices to sustain these critical programs as operating costs rise.
The Hawaiʻi State Board of Education (BOE) Finance and Infrastructure Committee advanced the Department's plan to gradually raise summer school tuition over five years. Rising teacher compensation and program costs have outpaced the current fee structure, which has not been updated since 2011. Federal relief funds have subsidized summer programs since the pandemic, supporting a fourfold increase in participation to nearly 28,000 students in 2024. With those funds ending, the Department received one-time legislative funding to cover summer programming for this summer and is seeking legislative support to offset costs for families in future years while continuing to offer high-quality programs.
The committee deferred action on raising student meal prices but advanced increases for adult meals and second servings. Current student meal prices, last updated in 2015, cover roughly 30% of the $9 cost per lunch, falling short of state law requiring at least 50% cost recovery. Recognizing the hardship a price increase could cause families, Gov. Josh Green has pledged to propose legislation to maintain current prices for students. Other proposals at the Legislature seek to subsidize meals for all students.
The Department's proposal to increase student fees for co-curricular activities, including student association and club dues and yearbooks, drew mixed reactions, with some committee members concerned about potential cost barriers for students.
The summer school increase, representing the maximum amount that schools could charge, and meal price adjustments next move to the full Board for final consideration.
Parent input needed: School Quality Survey now open
To better serve our students, we invite parents and guardians to share valuable feedback on their child’s safety, well-being, and school engagement by completing the School Quality Survey (SQS) by March 12. Responses from students, parents and teachers will be included in the School Reports, while input from administrative staff, office staff, and instructional support staff will inform the Statewide Summary and Complex Reports. The survey is confidential and takes just 5–10 minutes to complete. We encourage parents to respond to one survey for each child in grades K–12 attending public or public charter schools. Your input is critical in helping us improve and enhance the school experience for all students.
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Ho‘oha‘aheo Photo of the Week
Kohala Middle School faculty members showed a true ne‘epapa effort (strongest together) in a students vs. staff tug-of-war competition for their Makahiki festivities on Dec. 18, 2024 at the ‘Iole Stewardship Center. “We almost lost to the 8th graders, but in the end we pulled through – literally!” said Principal Trisha Sanborn.
Credit: Bradd Carvalho / Kohala Middle School 8th grade student
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!
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#HIPublicSchoolsProud
Social media highlights of the most engaging posts of the week.
Use the #HIPublicSchoolsProud hashtag for a chance to be featured!
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Mililani Uka Elementary
» Hands-on learning with our Japanese Club! 🍚✨ Our students had an amazing time pounding rice to make mochi desserts with @konkowahiawa. A huge mahalo for sharing this beautiful cultural tradition with us! #MochiMaking #JapaneseClub #CulturalLearning #MililaniUka #hipublicschoolsproud
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Pōmaikaʻi Elementary
» Took 21 Media League students to Shoots Summit 2025 at Moanalua High School on Oahu for a 2 day competition. Each group had to do visual storytelling on prompts given that morning and turned in within 4-6 hours. We won 7 awards. 1st place Short Film, 1st place Commercial, 1st place Movie Poster, 1st place Movie Trailer, 2nd place Vertical Tutorial, 2nd place Photo Essay and 2nd place Silent Film.
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Waipahu High Tasi Pasefika Polynesian Club
» Relive the mana of Waipahu High School's Fiafia Fest 2025! On Jan. 17, the Waipahu High School Tasi Pasefika Polynesian Cultural Club with a collaboration from our school's Hawaiian Club @leihaliaaloha proudly hosted and performed at this spectacular event to celebrate our second anniversary. Enjoy this highlight reel, set to the infectious beats of Taupou o Samoa.
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Important Dates & Upcoming Events
- January: National School Board Appreciation Month
- January: National Mentoring Month
- Jan. 29 - Lunar New Year
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The mascots of Koko Head Elementary and Governor S. W. King Intermediate will be sssssss-elebrating Lunar New Year on Jan. 29 as the "Year of the Snake." Which type of snakes are they?
- Vipers
- Pythons
- Cobras
- Boas
Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.
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Student Voice: Redefining AI in education with Kūlia Scholarships Connect app
From left to right, Baldwin High School students Ezequiel Corpuz, Jayleen Cotto Rodriguez, Brysen Ancheta, Kogetsu Mizutani and Jezreel Kasey Delos Trino tested the chatbot created by Jeremiah Jacinto and Aileen Kim on Nov. 27, 2024. Jacinto and Kim observed how the chatbot’s answers catered specifically to each student based on their unique inputs. Photo credit: Jeremiah Jacinto
By Jeremiah Jacinto, H.P. Baldwin High School
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most debated tools in education today. For many teachers and students, it’s often viewed with suspicion as a shortcut for cheating or a threat to genuine effort. However, through my recent project, I’ve discovered how AI can uplift students, broaden opportunities, and redefine its role in education.
In November, my teammate Aileen Kim and I participated in the Iris Okawa Design for Civic Leadership Pitch Competition. Together, we developed “Kūlia Scholarships Connect,” an AI-powered scholarship recommender designed for Hawai‘i’s students. The idea stemmed from a simple observation: too many scholarships go unclaimed each year because students either don’t know about them or feel overwhelmed navigating the process. Our solution? Use AI to match students with scholarships tailored to their unique needs.
This project is more than just an app; it’s about changing perceptions. In our presentation to Superintendent Keith Hayashi and other HIDOE leaders, we emphasized that AI in education doesn’t have to be a threat. Instead, it can be a powerful, ethical and transformative tool.
A recent study cited in Neuroscience News revealed that over 60% of students view AI as a tool for cheating, reflecting widespread skepticism. Kūlia Scholarships Connect flips this narrative. By bridging students with financial opportunities, we show how AI can be a force for good—empowering rather than intimidating. AI has the potential to solve real-world challenges like improving equity in education, rather than being feared or misused.
H.P. Baldwin students Aileen Kim, left, and Jeremiah Jacinto, center, accept a check for $5,000 from Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation trustee Saedene Ota for developing an AI-powered scholarship recommender to help high school students find scholarships. They were one of the top three winning teams in the Design Intelligence Lab contest.
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Jeremiah Jacinto is a junior at H.P. Baldwin High School. He is passionate about leadership and youth empowerment and is involved in student government, Key Club, and Model United Nations. He also serves on the Hawai‘i State Youth Commission, advising state leaders on issues affecting young people. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, going to the gym and playing drums.
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HIDOE Headlines
A roundup of announcements, resources and shoutouts.
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» Students from Kekaha Elementary will join Grammy-nominated songwriting nonprofit Kid Pan Alley to collaborate on a new song with musician Paul Reisler. Kid Pan Alley recently released “I’m Hawaiian,” featuring slack-key guitarist John Keawe, which was written with Kohala Elementary students.
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» All Hawai‘i public and charter schools are invited to nominate their campus for the Cooke Beautification Award, which recognizes public schools for completing significant beautification projects on campus. Three grants of $5,000 each will be awarded to an elementary, middle, and high school. The deadline is Feb. 3.
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National Mentoring Month
In honor of January being National Mentoring Month, we are sharing messages from some of HIDOE’s newest teachers to their mentors. These messages were collected by the Hawai‘i Teacher Induction Center, which supports mentorship for approximately 1,300 first and second year educators in the Department every year. The center was officially established in 2012 and leads the only statewide comprehensive teacher induction program in the nation. The Hawai‘i Teacher Induction Center falls under the HIDOE’s Office of Talent of Management.
Janelle Izutsu, Mokulele Elementary
“Ms. Janelle has been extremely supportive since the day I started at Mokulele. Filling me with positivity in times of turmoil and lifting me up when I am down. Without her I probably would have a few more grey hairs.” - Tyler Manuel, Mokulele Elementary fifth grade teacher
Randy Shinn, ʻIlima Intermediate School
“With Randy, you always know you have a very supportive leader in your corner. Randy has been such a great communicator, supporter and advocate for both myself and all teachers who truly have a passion to teach! With his support, my first year and all the additional hurdles that popped up during the first semester felt manageable as I knew I could always count on him to be a sounding board and to always offer positive advice to keep me going.” - Rita Coury, ʻIlima Intermediate art teacher
Vanessa Owens, Kapaʻa High School
“I genuinely feel I would not have the confidence I have now to fulfill my role as a teacher in my first year at KHS without the guidance of Kumu Vanessa. It made a huge difference to know that I have an ally that not only supports the content that I prioritize, but also helps me understand how to align those priorities with the standards required for curriculum. Mahalo nui e ke hoa no ke kākoʻo ʻana mai! ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia!” - Sarah Bilyeu, Kapaʻa High Hawaiian language teacher
Merrilynn Shinagawa, Windward District Administration
“Merrilynn is always there for me when I need help or have a question. She is always positive and communicates everything to me in an approachable way. She is quick to respond with info I have questions about. And she gives out the best snacks with positive sayings attached. I look forward to our meetings every week, even if it's just to talk about plants.” - David Thacker, Kailua Elementary School fifth grade teacher
Andrea Wilson, Paʻauilo Elementary & Intermediate School
"Andi is such an amazing mentor. She sees the good in all situations and always has sound advice. She and I really work well together and are always looking for the best interest of all students. Yay for my mentor, Andi!” - Joanna DeRego, Paʻauilo Elementary & Intermediate science teacher
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National School Board Appreciation Month
Mahalo to the Hawai'i Board of Education for their commitment to our students, schools, and community. The work that they do behind the scenes—making critical decisions, advocating for quality education, and ensuring that every student has the resources they need to succeed—is invaluable. Mahalo BOE for your tireless efforts, thoughtful decision-making, and the countless hours you invest in shaping the future of Hawai'i's students!
From left to right, Board of Education student representative Ethan Yang, board member Wesley Lo, vice chairperson Bill Arakaki, chairperson Roy Takumi, board member Ken Kuraya, board member Kahele Dukelow, board member Elynne Chung and board member Kaimana Barcarse. Not pictured: Board members Mary Hattori, Makana McClellan and military representative Colonel Christopher Busque.
Work With Us!
Administrative Services Assistant, Student Transportation Branch, (Oʻahu)
Early Learning Educational Assistant I, II, III, 1SG Samuel K. Solomon Elementary School (Oʻahu)
Office Assistant II, III, Hanalei Elementary (Kauaʻi)
School Cook I, II, Kahului Elementary (Maui)
School Security Attendant I, Mountain View Elementary (Hawai‘i Island)
For more career opportunities in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, please visit hawaiischooljobs.com.
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Public School Pop Quiz! Answer: 3. Cobras. King Intermediate's mascot is a specific type, the King Cobra, the world's largest venomous snake.
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HAWAI‘I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Keith Hayashi
Superintendent
Heidi Armstrong
Deputy Superintendent
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Dean Uchida
Deputy Superintendent
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Tammi Oyadomari-Chun
Deputy Superintendent
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ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS
Sean Bacon
Talent Management
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Brian Hallett
Fiscal Services
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Audrey Hidano
Facilities and Operations
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Elizabeth Higashi
Strategy, Innovation and Performance
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Kinau Gardner
Student Support Services
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Amy Peckinpaugh
Information Technology Services
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Teri Ushijima
Curriculum and Instructional Design
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Ho‘oha‘aheo
PUBLIC SCHOOL PROUD
Nanea Ching
Executive Editor
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Kimberly Yuen
Managing Editor
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Contributors
Chanel Honda
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Derek Inoshita
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Stan Lee
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Sara Miyazono
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Kimi Takazawa
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Krislyn Yano Moore
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1390 Miller St. Honolulu, HI 96813 | Phone: (808) 784-6200 Fax: (808) 586-3234
Share your story ideas, questions and feedback to newsletter@k12.hi.us
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