Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter, Oct. 29

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Oct. 29, 2025

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.

Aloha, HIDOE Community –  Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter. New agreements expand global learning opportunities This week, Hawai‘i public schools took the international stage at the Jeju International Youth Forum in South Korea. Kalani High student Qian Chen participated in the opening ceremony, delivering remarks to peers and leaders from 30 cities around the world. Other HIDOE schools, including Kapolei High, were also proudly represented.

These kinds of global experiences reflect our deep commitment to preparing students to be both globally competitive and locally committed. They open doors to innovation, cross-cultural understanding and real-world opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

While in South Korea, I had the honor of meeting with Jeju Special Self-Governing Education Governor Gwang Soo Kim to sign a memorandum of understanding for continued educational cooperation. This agreement strengthens ties between Hawai‘i and South Korea — connecting our educators and, most importantly, our students. We're also finalizing additional sister-school and partnership agreements between high schools and universities to expand these valuable opportunities even further.

Waiʻanae Strong
Over the weekend, our Waiʻanae High School community suffered the tragic loss of two students. Our hearts go out to the students’ families, friends and the Waiʻanae High ʻohana during this difficult time. Anyone experiencing grief or sadness is strongly encouraged to call 988 (national), 808-832-3100 (all islands), or 1-800-753-6879 (toll-free) or text ALOHA to 741741. Additional resources and information for parents can be found at helpyourkeiki.com/trauma. Mahalo for keeping the Waiʻanae community and the students’ loved ones in your thoughts.

Helemano Elementary School was buzzing with pride during Spirit Week! On “Proud to be a Hornet!” Day, held on Sept. 30, first graders in Ms. Lori Nakamura’s class — Genesis Rodrigues, Willow Walje, Thaimy De Los Santos and Elaina Grooms — proudly posed with the school mascot. Throughout the week, students and staff celebrated themed days including an ‘80s Dress-Up Day, Teacher-Student Outfit Swap Day and Pajama Day and wrapped up the festivities with the school’s 30th annual Fun Run.

Credit: Chanel Horie / HIDOE Communications Branch

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!

Before his distinguished career in politics, the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka dedicated 18 years to education, serving as a teacher, vice principal and principal in several public schools across Hawai‘i. Akaka—the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the U.S. Senate—was also the founding principal of an O‘ahu school in 1962. He gave the school its cherished name, which can refer to the break of dawn or enlightenment. What school is it?

a. Kapālama Elementary
b. Holomua Elementary
c. Kāneʻohe Elementary
d. Pōhākea Elementary

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

Kekaha Elementary School: Mahalo to all the Pueos who came out to represent Kekaha School in Waimea High School’s Homecoming festivities! Thank you to Waimea High School for allowing us to be part of the celebration! We wish you the best of luck this weekend and GO BIG BLUE!

Kamilo‘iki Elementary School: 🎓College Wear Day!📚Our campus was filled with Vulcans, a Wolfpack, Bruins, Ducks, Tigers, Gators, and Buffaloes. In addition, we also had some Dukes, Trojans, the Crimson, the Crimson Tide and even a Monster. But by far, we had the most future Rainbow Wahine and Warriors learning and having fun today. We love seeing our keiki inspired and empowered to reach their full potential and achieve their BIG goals! 🚀

Kapolei High Marine Corps JROTC: Amazing day to celebrate an amazing achievement for an amazing cadet, student, daughter and friend. Congratulations, Cadet Major Salas-Selem, on your selection for the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for outstanding achievement for SY 2024-25.

Use the #HIPublicSchoolsProud hashtag for a chance to be featured!

The Haunted History of Lahainaluna

By Kristina Meguro, Lahainaluna High School

A welcoming sign — and perhaps a whisper from the beyond — greets visitors to the Lahainaluna campus. Photo credit: Kristina Meguro / Lahainaluna High School

Stories of the supernatural are unsurprisingly common among students and staff at Lahainaluna, which is nestled at the base of Puʻu Paʻupaʻu (Hill of Struggle). Founded in 1831, Lahainaluna High School has been around for nearly two centuries, a span of time in which the campus has shifted and expanded. Nevertheless, something has stayed the same, unaffected by the construction of new buildings that occur from time to time. Spooky stories are a legacy as strong as the traditions we pass down from generation to generation. But are they more than stories, or are we just superstitious?

According to various accounts from students, staff and alumni, several areas of our old campus are rumored to be “haunted” — “spiritually active,” as Librarian Tara Nakata corrected me. “The campus is a little bit up in the mountains, right?” she said. “It’s not odd to believe there is paranormal activity.”

When asked, staff and students had lots to share. At the top of their lists were the Hoapili & David Malo dorms, Samuel Moʻokini Music Building (band/choir room), the Hale I Luna (aka J-Building), and the MacDonald Building. There have also been spiritual sightings from the cafe.

This article was originally published on Sept. 30, 2025, in Ka Lama Hawai‘i, the student-run newspaper for Lahainaluna High School.

Kristina Meguro is a sophomore at Lahainaluna High School, where she serves as co–vice president of the Lahainaluna Band & Choir. She is also a staff writer for Ka Lama Hawai‘i, the school’s student-run newspaper and participates in Lahainaluna’s Early College Program. In addition, Kristina contributes to the production of the school’s morning broadcast.

This month Hawaiʻi public school cafeterias statewide were offered the opportunity to serve “bussin’ volcano bowls” — a playful take on a taco salad — for lunch, featuring locally sourced beef, lettuce and tomatoes where available. More than 4,300 pounds of local ground beef, 6,300 pounds of local green lettuce and 4,400 pounds of local tomatoes were distributed to 95 participating schools.

The featured meal helped to celebrate this month as National Farm to School Month, which highlights the connections between keiki, local food, and agriculture, as well as National School Lunch Week (Oct. 13-17), which promotes the importance of healthy school meals and their positive impact on student well-being, both inside and outside of the classroom. Check out the recipe below!

Ingredients (yields 8 bowls):

Taco meat:

• 1lb local ground beef 
• ½ Tbsp chopped dried onions
• ½ Tbsp ketchup 
• ¾ Tbsp chili powder 
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika
• ½ cup water 
• ½ Tbsp ground cumin
• ¼ Tbsp granulated garlic 
• ½ tsp salt 

Bowl:

• 8 taco bowls 
• ¼ lb shredded cheese 
• 1½ lbs of shredded romaine or green leaf lettuce
• ¾ lb steamed sweet corn 
• ½ lb diced tomatoes
• Choice of dressing 

Directions: 

1. Cook ground meat in a skillet and crumble beef into fine pieces. Cook to a minimum temperature of 155°F.  
2. Turn off the heat and drain off the excess fat and liquid. 
3. Add chopped onions, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, water, paprika, salt, and granulated garlic. Mix well, and let simmer until the water evaporates.
4. Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

Bowl Assembly:

1. Add 1 cup chopped lettuce to the taco bowl shell.
2. Top with ¼ cup corn, 1oz of shredded cheese, ⅛ cup diced tomato, 1½ oz of taco meat, and a choice of dressing. 
3. Serve immediately.

Photos credit: Edgar Ambrosio / HIDOE Communications Branch

Mahalo to Roosevelt High School’s school food services manager, Scott Takafuji; baker Ben Cefra; cook Aaron Yuen; and cafe helpers Reyn Enomoto, Michael Cheng and Kanako Yamane (pictured left to right) for inviting us into their kitchen, and to Roosevelt High students and staff for welcoming us into their cafeteria.

“What’s For School Lunch?” is a monthly column coordinated by the School Food Services Branch that features new and exciting school meal initiatives.

Schools and offices across Hawai‘i celebrated Unity Day on Oct. 22 by wearing the color orange and providing an opportunity for everyone to come together to promote kindness, foster inclusion and strengthen student agency for National Bullying Prevention Month. See how schools across the state celebrated Unity Day!

Kaʻelepulu Elementary School

Maui Waena Intermediate School

Nā‘ālehu Elementary School

Pōmaikaʻi Elementary School

Pāhoa High & Intermediate School

Ala Wai Elementary School

Lānaʻi High & Elementary

Michael-Thomas Foumai Occupation: Director of Artistic Engagement and Composer in Residence at the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra  What school you grad? Roosevelt High ‘05 College: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Location: Honolulu, HI Michael-Thomas Foumai is the director of Artistic Engagement and the first Composer in Residence for the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra (HSO). His recent projects have focused on issues and stories facing the people of Hawaiʻi. In 2019, he composed the music for Raise Hawaiki, a large-scale choral-symphony based on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa to celebrate the homecoming from her three-year worldwide voyage, Mālama Honua. His honors include a Fromm Foundation Grant from Harvard University, the Music Teachers National Association Distinguished Composer of the Year Award, the Jacob Druckman Prize from the Aspen Music Festival and three Broadcast Music Incorporated composer awards. He attended Kauluwela Elementary School, Kawānanakoa Middle School and Roosevelt High School. Q: Why did you choose this career path and what do you enjoy most about it? A: This career path chose me! My love for stories and movies fuels my passion for storytelling. As a die-hard fan of Star Wars, especially its music, music powerfully tells stories. I have chosen this career not only because it's fun and fulfilling, but also because it gives my life purpose, allowing me to share the rich narratives of my home, Hawai'i, through the universal language of music. Q: What makes you #PublicSchoolProud? A: I am a product of the public school system, and my musical journey began at Kawānankoa Middle School when I first picked up the violin. This experience ignited a lifelong passion for music, allowing me to perform and grow alongside friends while striving for meaningful goals. I eagerly anticipated orchestra class every week, and on the days without it, I couldn't wait to get to the orchestra room during lunch breaks and after school. My passion for music flourished at Roosevelt High School, where a supportive environment encouraged exploration and inspired me to pursue not only performance but also composition. My very first orchestra piece was performed by the RHS Symphony Orchestra. I had the opportunity to grow as a teacher and leader among my peers, which provided invaluable experience in building the foundation for becoming a well-rounded musician. Upon graduating and entering college, all of these experiences had fully prepared and motivated me to pursue my ambitious dream of becoming a composer.

Michael-Thomas Foumai, center, conducts the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra with two-time GRAMMY® Award-Winning Violinist and Composer Mads Tolling in the Hawaiʻi Premiere of Tolling's violin concerto, Begejstring (Excitement) at the Hawaiʻi Theatre on April 19, 2023. Photo courtesy: Michael-Thomas Foumai

• October: National Principals Month
• October: National Bullying Prevention Month
• October. Filipino American History Month
• November: National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month
• Nov. 11 - Veteran’s Day (Schools and offices closed)
• Nov. 13 - Board of Education Meetings
• Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving (Schools and offices closed)
• Nov. 28 - Day after Thanksgiving (Schools closed)

Office Assistant III, Hawai‘i Child Nutrition Program (Oʻahu)
School Health Assistant I, II, Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Elementary (Oʻahu)
School Custodian II, Wailuku Elementary (Maui)
Secretary II, Kaua‘i District Administration (Kaua‘i)
Grade 6-8 Hawaiian Language Teacher, Kealakehe Intermediate (Hawai‘i Island)

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 November and December. Visit each page for dates and registration information.

• Teachers, librarians and counselor positions
• Classified and support services personnel positions

To learn more about career opportunities in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, please visit hawaiischooljobs.com.

Public School Pop Quiz! Answer: d. Pōhākea Elementary. The late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka was a teacher at Kahuku High & Intermediate, Pearl Harbor Intermediate (now split into Āliamanu Middle School and Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary) and ʻĀina Haina Elementary. He served as vice principal at ʻEwa Elementary and principal of Kāneʻohe Elementary and Pōhākea Elementary. Watch a video from our Video Production Section produced in 2018 after Sen. Akaka’s death to honor his legacy to public education in Hawai‘i.

This newsletter was produced by the Hawai'i State Department of Education Communications Branch.

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