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Aloha, HIDOE Community –
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter.
Fast pass to college
This week, I stopped by Kaua‘i High School and Farrington High School to help officially launch Direct2UH, a new initiative in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i (UH) that simplifies the college admissions process and removes barriers to higher education for our seniors. Direct2UH provides direct admission to at least one of nine UH campuses based on students’ grade point averages. Once students complete a short online form, their admission is confirmed, contingent on high school graduation. Together with UH, we’re strengthening the bridge between high school and college, ensuring that the preparation happening in our classrooms leads directly to opportunity, and that our graduates are equipped to lead, serve and make a difference in Hawai‘i and beyond.
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 University of Hawai‘i President Wendy Hensel, left, Kaua‘i High Principal Marlene Leary, second from right, and Superintendent Keith Hayashi distribute acceptance letters to Kaua‘i High seniors on Oct. 13. Photo credit: Nanea Ching / HIDOE Communications Branch
Maui High counselor named finalist for national award
Congratulations to Maui High School’s Post High Counselor Leka Anitema, who was named one of five finalists from across the country for the 2026 National School Counselor of the Year award! This is a remarkable recognition for a truly deserving and caring educator and counselor. We’re rooting for you, Leka! Read more about her accomplishments here.
Chocolate milk recall
The state Department of Health (DOH) last night issued an alert regarding a voluntary recall of Meadow Gold half-pint chocolate milk with an expiration date of Oct. 16. The product was distributed to some schools on O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i. Meadow Goldʻs recall is being conducted out of caution due to potential quality control issues. Families are advised not to consume any Meadow Gold chocolate milk labeled with the affected date if it looks, smells or tastes unusual. For parents, if your child is experiencing health concerns or symptoms of illness related to this concern, seek medical care for your child. Concerns should also be reported to the school and to the DOH Disease Reporting Line at 808-586-4586.
We are working closely with DOH and Meadow Gold to manage the recall. Schools have been instructed to stop serving the affected product and to provide either shelf-stable milk or water as a substitute, or non-recalled milk. We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all students and will continue to follow state guidance as this situation develops.
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The role of a school principal is constantly evolving. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the school, principals are responsible for managing faculty and staff, creating and maintaining budgets, setting a clear vision for the school's future and fostering a positive and inclusive school culture. Today’s principals must also navigate evolving priorities, implement new technologies, engage with families and the wider community, and ensure student well-being and academic success in an increasingly complex environment.
In celebration of National Principals Month this October, we're proud to highlight the 19 principals within the Hawai‘i State Department of Education who now lead the very schools they once attended as students.
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 Molokai High School was filled with energy and aloha as students and staff came together for a pep rally outside of campus on Oct. 3 to celebrate the end of the first quarter. After the event, a community member shared a grateful message with the school that read: “Drove down to work this morning. Had the most joyous drive past the high school! Students were holding ‘feel good’ signs. One sign said ‘HONK FOR HAPPINESS!’ For some beautiful reason, it made me so happy and totally started my morning on a good note! It’s wonderful to see our younger generation being encouraged to share goodness and joy!”
“I shared the entry with the student planners who felt so proud knowing the joy and positivity they brought to others,” said student activities coordinator Lisa Takata. “It was a reminder of the quiet power we all have to brighten someone's day!”
Credit: Lisa Takata / Molokai High School
Send us 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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Which Hawaiʻi public school is named after a Crown Princess who was heir to the throne, fluent in four languages by age 13, and traveled to England as a teenager? Born 150 years ago this month, she was the niece and chosen successor of Queen Liliʻuokalani. A banyan tree gracing the school’s campus today was grown from a cutting taken from one at her home, gifted by her father to honor her memory.
a. Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Elementary
b. Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani Middle
c. Princess Miriam K. Likelike Elementary
d. Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary
Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.
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Chiefess Kap‘iolani Elementary School: Nothing better than wearing something hilarious and silly! Hilarious Hats and Silly Socks day was such a fun day and we thank you all for participating! For a full look of the day, visit our website and see all the awesome pictures!
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Waipahu High School: During Fall Break, 10 Academy of Natural Resources students worked tirelessly in Ehime, Japan. They explored the fisheries program at Ehime University, marveling at the experience, and took a tour of historic Matsuyama Castle. Later in the week, they visited an orange orchard and connected with local students from two high schools, continuing their 4-year partnership with Matsuyama Minami HS and Saijo HS on a water purification project. Amazing visit for our Marauder students! Hail Waipahu! 💙💛💙💛
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Radford High School Cheer: What a great day to be a Ram! Our All Girl jv team took 3rd today but with the changes we had to make leading up to today…the girls did fantastic! Our Coed Varsity team took 1st for our division and also 1st overall scoring the highest for our westerns competition! Awesome day but we still got work to do! Come out to support both teams on October 25th for OIAs on our home turf🐏 #ramdown #westernchamps #thetraditioncontinues
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Use the #HIPublicSchoolsProud hashtag for a chance to be featured!
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School Food Services Managers Liana Kilaulani of Alvah A. Scott Elementary and Devie Nakamura of Helemano Elementary School (who are also twin sisters!) stopped by KHON’s Wake Up 2day to showcase some of the newest cafeteria menu items made with local ingredients at cafeterias, including an ʻuala yogurt bowl made with dragonfruit, hamburger stew with local ʻulu and kalo, and a scratch-made pumpkin bread.
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About 70 volunteers from the community joined Maui United Way to clear about nine acres of dry brush and green waste in Lahaina earlier this month to build a firebreak around Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and Lahainaluna High School, protecting the cluster of campuses from future fires.
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Cleveland Browns’ rookie Dillon Gabriel, a 2019 Mililani High School graduate, became the first graduate from a Hawai‘i public school to start a NFL game at quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 5 in London. Gabriel passed for 190 yards and two touchdowns and is currently the starting quarterback for the Browns.
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 Helping Filipino youth reconnect with their roots to keep traditions alive
By Miley Rose Jacinto, Waiākea High School
 Waiākea High School's Filipino Club hosted a “Sing Your Heart Out” event in honor of Filipino American History Month and Filipino Day during International Week on Nov. 8, 2024, which consisted of karaoke, relay races, and ube treats. Photo courtesy: Waiākea High School Filipino Club
As a fourth-generation Filipino American, I grew up knowing very little about my Filipino culture. I struggled to understand and communicate with the elders, as they spoke Ilocano, Tagalog, and broken English. My mother was able to translate much of it for me, but she was not fluent enough to someday teach me. That itself made it difficult for me to connect with my Filipino culture. Other local Filipino students probably had the same issue.
To better understand my roots, culture, and language, I conducted some research on the history of my ancestors. In the 1940s, many Filipino workers, known as Sakadas, immigrated to Hawai‘i through the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association, seeking better opportunities. They would work on the pineapple and sugarcane plantations, later bringing their families and traditions with them. Over time, their traditions started to fade as newer generations grew up accustomed to the American lifestyle. English has become the primary language. Sadly, traditions practiced in the past were no longer being handed down due to a lack of interest.
I believe that engaging fellow students to learn about their Filipino heritage can help them understand their roots and the origins of their families. If younger generations don’t understand now, invaluable stories and practices could be lost forever.
In Waiākea High School's Filipino Club, we welcome students to explore the Filipino culture through food, dance, history, and language. The club encourages everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, to learn about and celebrate what makes Filipino culture special.
Miley Rose Jacinto is a senior at Waiākea High School. She is a member of the Health Services Academy and its Nursing and Medical Pathway, with the intention of helping others in a future health care career. She currently serves as the president of Waiākea High’s Filipino Club and has held this position for three years. She is also the secretary of Waiākea High’s National Honor Society, advisory board member of Japan Club, and a Freshman Connection Leader. In addition to her traits as a leader and servant, Miley embodies Waiākea High Filipino Club’s motto of “inclusivity in diversity.”
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Skip Saito
Occupation: Hawai‘i Air National Guard, C-17 Evaluator Air Drop Pilot
What school you grad? ‘Aiea High School ‘01
College: Honolulu Community College, Leeward Community College, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Naval Command and Staff College
Location: Honolulu, HI
‘Aiea native Skip Saito is a distinguished officer in the Hawai‘i Air National Guard with over 24 years of dedicated military service. Throughout his career, he has flown countless missions, been deployed in combat zones all around the world and rose through the ranks to become one of the key operational leaders within his unit. Saito currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel and the Director of Operations for the 204th Airlift Squadron, a unit of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard 154th Wing stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. He attended Alvah A. Scott Elementary from kindergarten to second grade, before transferring to Waimalu Elementary until sixth grade. He then attended ‘Aiea Intermediate and ‘Aiea High School.
Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it?
A: Going on sports trips or mini vacations was always the highlight of my childhood. I was always so intrigued and excited to get on the airplane and feel the rush of the takeoffs and landings. Becoming a pilot was a goal, but one that I knew would take lots of time and effort to achieve. Because of the length of schooling and the difficulty of training, it made achieving this goal so enjoyable. The thing I love the most about this profession is that I get to travel all over the world with a purpose. I also love to teach the next generation of military aviators and to inspire them to be awesome leaders.
Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud?
A: I am #PublicSchoolProud because I was shaped by diversity, resilience and community. Public schools taught me to thrive with what's available, embrace people from every background and turn challenges into opportunities. The lessons I carry aren't just academic; they're life skills that keep me grounded and driven. I also love it when you ask someone from Hawai‘i, "What school you went?" the response is always their high school alma mater!
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 The Hawai‘i Air National Guard hosted a special Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) flight known as the “Boss Lift” on Aug. 7. Part-time Guard members invited their civilian employers aboard a C-17 Globemaster III for a firsthand look at the training they do to remain mission-ready. The flight, commanded by Lt. Col. Skip Saito, showcased formation flying, airdrop operations, in-air refueling and low-level navigation exercises and more. Pictured above (left to right): Brennon Morioka, Dean of the College of Engineering at UH Mānoa; Saito; and ESGR Chair Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Robert Lee. Photo courtesy: Skip Saito
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 School Security Attendant I, II, III, Kahuku High & Intermediate (Oʻahu)
Television Production Technician, Video Production Section (Oʻahu)
Early Learning Educational Assistant I, II, III (Hawaiian Language), Hāna High & Elementary (Maui)
School Custodian II, Kapa‘a Middle (Kaua‘i)
Occupational Therapist IV, Hawai‘i District Office (Hawai‘i Island)
To learn more about career opportunities in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, please visit hawaiischooljobs.com or stop by our booth at our upcoming recruiting events:
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Career Expo
Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
777 Ward Ave., Honolulu, HI 96814
Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
HIDOE’s Office of Talent Management is hosting one-hour webinars to provide an overview of the application and hiring process. Sessions are available in October, November and December. Visit each page for dates and registration information.
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Public School Pop Quiz! Answer: a. Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Elementary. Princess Kaʻiulani was known for her intelligence, grace and fierce dedication to her people. Named heir to the throne at a young age, she studied abroad in England, mastering languages, literature and diplomacy. Though she never ruled, her commitment to learning and leadership left a lasting mark. Today, the Kalihi‑Pālama school that bears her name honors that legacy, inspiring new generations to value education and perseverance.
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This newsletter was produced by the Hawai'i State Department of Education Communications Branch.
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Nanea Ching
Executive Editor
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Kimberly Yuen
Managing Editor
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Share your story ideas, events, questions and feedback to newsletter@k12.hi.us
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1390 Miller St. Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 808-784-6200
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