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Dec. 3, 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.
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Aloha, HIDOE Community –
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Ho‘oha‘aheo Newsletter.
Lahaina Workforce Housing
Our workforce housing project in West Maui is moving forward quickly, and I’m excited to share that we’ve offered 24 leases for new one- and two-bedroom units to Lahaina educators. We broke ground on the $20 million, 47-unit rental community in May 2025 and began installing units last month. Developed in partnership with Maui-based Dowling Co., the project is designed to help attract and retain exceptional teachers and staff, particularly in West Maui. By the end of this month, half of the units are expected to be in place, and we’re aiming for employees to move in by spring break 2026.
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Contractors carefully placed a housing unit onto its footing on Nov. 12. Photo credit: Edgar Ambrosio / HIDOE Communications Branch
Inclusive holiday events
Over 80 students with disabilities from schools statewide gathered at Pearlridge Center on Tuesday for two inclusive holiday events: “Santa Cane to Town” and “Deaf Santa,” organized by our Office of Student Support Services in partnership with the ASL program at Kapi‘olani Community College, Pearlridge Center, Consolidated Theatres Pearlridge, Relay Hawai‘i, and Comprehensive Service Center.
Students who are deaf or hard of hearing had the opportunity to share their holiday wishes with a special Santa who communicated using American Sign Language. Meanwhile, students who are visually impaired visited the movie theater, where they learned how to navigate stairs, escalators, and narrow aisles with their white mobility canes. At the theater, they practiced how to buy tickets and popcorn, ask for specialized headsets that provide audio descriptions of movies and enjoyed a special screening of Zootopia 2. A huge mahalo to our partners for making this memorable experience possible for our students. We’d also like to thank Southwest Airlines for generously sponsoring airfare for our neighbor island students!
Kea‘au High student Taylor Dalija-Airinios shares her holiday wish list in American Sign Language to Santa at the “Deaf Santa” event at Pearlridge Center on Dec. 2. Photo credit: Stan Lee / HIDOE Communications Branch
Hoʻākea Honolulu at Mauliola
As part of our growing efforts to inspire a generation of students who are globally competitive and locally committed, we are excited to continue our partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, Mauliola Keʻehi, Kōkua Kalihi Valley, Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy, and Education Incubator to host Hoʻākea Honolulu at Mauliola (Sand Island) this week. Hoʻākea integrates Hawaiian voyaging traditions, cultural practices and place-based learning with HIDOE curriculum to cultivate a “Navigator Mindset” – preparing students to become leaders, stewards and critical thinkers for Hawaiʻi’s future.
Over 1,000 fourth graders and teachers from schools in the Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani Complex Area will have the chance to take part in an immersive week of voyaging- and ʻāina-based learning alongside 11 voyaging canoes and numerous education and community partners. Mahalo to Gov. and First Lady Green, Lt. Gov. Luke, student Board of Education member Mia Nishiguchi and other supporters for stopping by on Wednesday to see the impact that Hoʻākea is having on our students!
Puʻuhale Elementary students practiced paddling techniques aboard a stationary waʻa from Mauliola Keʻehi on Dec. 3 at Mauliola. Photo credit: Nanea Ching / HIDOE Communications Branch
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Students in Mrs. Chong’s first grade class at Kahului Elementary School were treated to a special visit on Nov. 17 from Sparky the Fire Dog and firefighters from the Maui Fire Department. Sparky and the crew taught students all about fire safety, including how to stop, drop, and roll, and when to call 911. The students also got a close-up look at the firefighters’ unique tools and even had the chance to sit in the driver’s seat of the firetruck!
Credit: Jill Makii / Kahului Elementary 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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To expand access to Hawaiian immersion education, the Hawai‘i State Board of Education and then-Superintendent Charles Toguchi approved the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program (Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai‘i) on a pilot basis in 1987 in which two Hawai‘i public schools?
a. Keonepoko Elementary & Nānākuli Elementary
b. Waiau Elementary & Keaukaha Elementary
c. Kapa‘a Elementary & Pāʻia Elementary
d. Lahainaluna High & Pūʻōhala School
Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.
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Hau‘ula Elementary School: We are officially in the holiday season! Our JPOs have a special message for us about impaired driving versus safe driving! #hauulaelementaryschool #hipublicschoolproud
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Ke Kula ʻo ʻEhunuikaimalino: Hoʻomaikaʻi e nā haumāna kula waena i kū ʻelele no ʻEhunuikaimalino ma Pā Hoaka ma ke kulai ʻo Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo ma ka hoʻokūkū haʻiʻōlelo hoʻopaʻanaʻau. Mahalo e nā ʻohana no ke kākoʻo ʻana mai! Aloha Lā Kūʻokoʻa!
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Waialua High & Intermediate School Band: First parade down! ✅ The Waikīkī Christmas Parade was a blast! Shout out to @aieahs_musicdepartment for the great exchange we had before the parade! 🎶 Thank you to all of our band boosters for helping out last night!
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Use the #HIPublicSchoolsProud hashtag for a chance to be featured!
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Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School students will have their hand-drawn ornament designs on display at the 2025 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The school was selected to represent Hawaiʻi as part of the annual program, which showcases student-designed ornaments from all U.S. states and territories
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Ally Tamayose, who passed away in 2023 when she was a junior after a five-year battle with cancer, never got to play for Pearl City High School's girls soccer team, but through her family, she remains a key figure in the girls soccer program. The school retired jersey #40 in honor of her and celebrates her legacy with an annual preseason soccer invitational to benefit a charity.
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The Kailua High School Surfriders won its first ever football state championship last week in a thrilling 13-9 win over defending champion Kapa‘a High School in the HHSAA Division I State Championship. “I knew it was either I’m making this state championship with this catch or I’m breaking it right now, and lucky enough I pulled it in,” wide receiver Tayvin Kahele told Hawai‘i News Now after his game-winning catch.
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Student Leadership: Why it’s important and how we can become leaders
By Darien Van Winkle, Leilehua High School
Leilehua High School’s Class of 2026 student leadership team hosted the school’s 2nd annual homecoming dance on Sept. 27 with over 300 student attendees. Photo Courtesy: Mia Greszak / Leilehua High School senior
When I first arrived at Leilehua High School, I found myself without many friends, unsure of my purpose, and stuck in a monotonous routine that made every day feel like Groundhog Day. This is an experience that many students I know can relate to, going through high school without anything that pulls them toward brighter horizons.
However, everything changed during my sophomore year. I ended up joining the Speech and Debate team, and I loved it so much that I decided to run for secretary. While campaigning, and even before then, I met many new people, including someone who would later become my best friend.
Toward the twilight of that year, I decided on an ambitious run for class president. I had to compete against students who were already deeply involved in student leadership. But going around and talking to my classmates gave me a deeper understanding of their experiences and the challenges they saw in our school, and what they wanted to see — like a homecoming dance!
In the end, I won the election, but I gained far more than just an election victory. I went from feeling isolated and unmotivated to forming friendships with all kinds of students, driven by a genuine desire to make our class better, and waking up each day not knowing what the day would bring. Leadership, at its core, is taking a step when others might hesitate, so that others may not be so fearful of the next. You lift up the people around you by being an example of what is possible.
Darien Van Winkle is a senior at Leilehua High School. He serves as class president, Speech and Debate Club president and a member of the National Honor Society, Cyberpatriots Club and the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council. He currently works for the U.S. Department of Defense. Darien plans to major in international relations and foreign affairs and later enter politics.
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Lauren Collier
Title: Special Education Teacher
Job site: Kāneʻohe Elementary School
Years in the HIDOE: 9
Years in the position: 9
Q: How did you get into this field?
A: I was drawn to the field of special education through my own lived experience as a neurodivergent learner. Growing up with dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD was often a source of shame, but over time it became a source of strength and purpose. What once felt like a barrier ultimately became the catalyst for my career, opening the door to a special education internship in college that completely reshaped how I saw myself and others as learners. That experience sparked my commitment to ensuring that all students, especially those who learn differently, are seen, supported and celebrated for their unique strengths.
Q: What are your primary duties?
A: Answering this question is challenging because I wear many hats within my school community. However, my primary responsibilities center on teaching second and fourth grade language arts and math in the resource setting. I provide direct instruction, develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEP), write progress reports, and scaffold learning to support students’ success within the general education setting. Beyond these core duties, I collaborate closely with colleagues, families and support staff to create inclusive learning environments that meet the diverse needs of all students.
Q: What advice do you have for people considering this position?
A: My advice for anyone considering this role is to understand that advocacy is an essential part of the work. You’re not just teaching; you’re speaking up for your students’ needs and rights. At the same time, embrace the fact that this job is never dull. Every day brings movement, change and new challenges, which makes it an incredibly dynamic and rewarding career.
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- December: Human Rights Month
- Dec. 3: International Day of People with Disabilities
- Dec. 8-14 - Computer Science Education Week
- Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 - Winter Break (No school for students and teachers)
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Behavioral Technician I, II, Central District Administration (Oʻahu)
Fully Self-Contained Special Education Teacher, Kapolei High (Oʻahu)
Registered Professional Nurse III, Lahaina Intermediate (Maui)
Administrative Services Assistant, Professional Worker III, Professional Trainee II & I, West Kaua‘i Complex (Kaua‘i)
School Food Services Manager I, II, Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary (Hawai‘i Island)
HIDOE’s Office of Talent Management is hosting one-hour webinars to provide an overview of the application and hiring process. Visit each page for dates and registration information.
To learn more about career opportunities in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, please visit hawaiischooljobs.com.
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Public School Pop Quiz! Answer: b. Waiau Elementary School in Pearl City, Oʻahu and Keaukaha Elementary School in Hilo were the first two schools to pilot the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program. Kaiapuni education has since expanded to 27 programs in HIDOE schools statewide. To contribute to the revitalization of the Hawaiian language and culture, the HIDOE offers Hawaiian language immersion education where instruction is conducted exclusively in the Hawaiian language. English is introduced as a subject starting in Grade 5.
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This newsletter was produced by the Hawai'i State Department of Education's 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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