Aloha, HIDOE Community – 

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

Building momentum for local school meals
On Thursday we'll be updating the Board of Education on the Department's progress toward sourcing 30% of school meal ingredients locally by 2030. I'm encouraged by the steady momentum we're building. Over the past year, we've increased our local fresh produce purchasing from 17% to 23%. Those gains reflect the strong partnerships we've built with Hawaiʻi's farmers, food producers and our dedicated school food service teams. We also recently formalized a statewide agreement outlining the roles and responsibilities for expanding the use of locally sourced foods in public school meals among the Department and multiple state agencies including the state departments of Agriculture and Biosecurity, along with the Agribusiness Development Corp. and the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. What's especially encouraging is that our students are noticing the difference. From more locally sourced ingredients to new menu items inspired by Hawaiʻi's flavors, we're creating meals that students enjoy while supporting local agriculture and strengthening our state's food resilience.

Expanded free school meals
This school year approximately 12,000 additional public school students now qualify for free breakfast and lunch under expanded eligibility guidelines. Students from households with incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level are now eligible for one free breakfast and one free lunch each school day under Act 139, which was signed into law by Gov. Josh Green in 2025. This expansion strengthens our commitment to supporting Hawaiʻi's working families while ensuring more students are nourished, focused and ready to learn.

Kaua‘i High School Student Activities: Alohaaa Red Raiders! We made it through our first week of school and have already made it through 2 events! Let’s get this school year rolling and make it the best year ever! Wings Up Red! 🪽❤️🪽❤️

Hawai‘i School for the Deaf and the Blind: Our first week was filled with smiles, new friendships, and so much energy! It’s been wonderful welcoming everyone back and getting off to such a great start. We can't wait to see all the growth and memories to come. Here's to an amazing year ahead! 📚🐬💚

James B. Castle High School: 🎥 Castle High School 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee event. What better way to celebrate 75 years of Castle High School than by hearing from the people who helped make its history? In this video, Castle alumni share some of their favorite memories, stories, and experiences from their time as Castle Knights. From unforgettable moments with friends to the traditions and experiences that shaped them, these alumni reflect on what it meant—and still means—to be a Knight. 💛❤️ Edit and interviews by Chase Lau.

Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School got a summer makeover thanks to the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s South Kohala Community Policing Section and New Hope Waikōloa volunteers. Led by School Resource Officer Kui Dela Cruz, the team repainted safety lines, curbs and fire lanes to create a safer and more welcoming campus.

A statewide policy that took effect this school year bans cell phones in elementary and middle schools, while high school students can use them outside of class. Civil Beat asked students how the new rules are going so far. “It’s honestly kind of heartwarming to see everybody getting along,” McKinley High School sophomore Olena Aleka-Hanohano told the news outlet.

After three decades of leading his alma mater’s baseball team, Kailua High School head coach Corey Ishigo will be retiring. He led the Surfriders to one state championship and nine O‘ahu Interscholastic Association titles. “I just wanted to make a difference in our community here at Kailua, Waimānalo, and try and help our students and our players have the best opportunities to not just play in college, but to become better people in the long run,” he told KHON.

Micah Kalauli is the student representative for the Hawai‘i State Board of Education for the 2026-27 school year. He’s a senior in the Academy of Industry and Technology, Business Pathway at Waiākea High School, where he serves as the Student Government Association president and is a member of National Honor Society and DECA. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends, golfing and planning fun student government events. 

Jerico V. Jaramillo

Title: English Language Arts teacher
Job site: Lānaʻi High and Elementary School
Years in the HIDOE: 3
Years in the position: 3

As Hawai‘i continues to address teacher shortages, the Department’s J-1 visa teacher exchange program has become an important part of ensuring students have access to high-quality instruction, particularly in hard-to-fill subject areas and rural communities. Since launching in the 2020-21 school year, the program has helped fill critical vacancies with experienced educators from around the world while complementing, not replacing, the HIDOE's efforts to grow and retain local teachers. Today, more than 600 J-1 teachers are serving in public schools statewide, with 90% choosing to remain in Hawai‘i for the program’s minimum three-year commitment.

Among them is Jerico V. Jaramillo, an English language arts teacher at Lāna‘i High & Elementary School. A graduate of Mariano Marcos State University, where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, Jaramillo has spent the past three years inspiring students on Lāna‘i.

Q: How did you get into this field?
A: My journey into this field expanded through my experience as a J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Teacher. It began in January 2023, when I started the application process, including completing paperwork and attending interviews. By July 8, 2023, I was officially hired and traveled to Hawai‘i, where I began teaching in a new cultural and educational environment. This opportunity allowed me to grow professionally while immersing myself in a diverse community and broadening my perspective as an educator. 

Q: Favorite part about the job?
A: My favorite part of the job is seeing the growth and transformation of my students, whether the changes are big or small. It is very fulfilling to witness students gain confidence, improve their skills, and develop a stronger sense of identity and purpose over time. I also find it rewarding when students are given opportunities to go out into the island and represent our school and community, showcasing their learning and sharing their voices beyond the classroom. These experiences remind me of the meaningful impact my work has on their academic and personal growth.