Aloha, HIDOE Community – 

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

Health learning lab at Waiākea High
This morning I attended a blessing ceremony for the construction of Waiākea High School’s new health learning lab developed in partnership with the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i (HAH) and its ʻAulama I Ke Ola initiative to strengthen Hawai‘i’s healthcare workforce.

Similar to the lab opened earlier this year at Wai‘anae High School, the interactive classroom space will transform part of the school’s library into two instructional areas, five exam rooms, eight long-term care and acute care bays, two emergency department bays, a patient service representative desk, a phlebotomy station, and an Anatomage Table, which provides students with a 3D virtual anatomy device for students to learn about the human body. The lab is expected to be completed next summer.

We are grateful to HAH for expanding hands-on learning opportunities that connect our students with careers in healthcare. Experiences like these help students discover new interests, develop valuable skills and see the opportunities available to them right here in Hawaiʻi, while helping to strengthen our state’s workforce. Through partnerships like this, we’re preparing students to be globally competitive and locally committed, with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the communities they call home.

Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani Middle School: A huge mahalo to the event organizers and the Hawai‘i Department of Education for making Hawai‘i Construction Career Days a reality! The excitement on our students' faces said it all! On the ride back, students couldn't stop talking about everything they saw, touched, built and experienced. We heard comments like, "That was the BEST field trip ever!" Their enthusiasm was contagious as they shared what they learned, the tools they got to use, and the different career possibilities they discovered. For many of our students, this was more than just a field trip. It was an opportunity to see a future they may never have imagined for themselves.

Waimea Canyon Middle School: Waimea High School football players, cheerleaders, and leadership students came to Waimea Canyon Middle School for a Homecoming pep rally collaboration with our middle school students last week. Mahalo @thewaimeahighschool for pumping up our students as you folks get ready for your Homecoming game this weekend 🏈📣💙

H.P. Baldwin High School: On Monday, our BHS students went behind the scenes at the National Science Foundation Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, hosted by Maui Economic Development Board’s STEMworks! 🔬✨Students got a firsthand look at how the world’s most powerful solar telescope operates, explored the wide range of careers that keep it running and learned how the facility was designed for sustainability—ensuring the land is respected and restored when the telescope is decommissioned. A huge mahalo to @stemworks for inspiring our future scientists, engineers, and community leaders! 🙌

Kapolei High School captured its first-ever OIA Open Division football championship in the school’s 26-year history, defeating Mililani High School 29-10. Head coach Darren Hernandez, who has led the program since its inception, told Spectrum OC16 Live: “I’m really proud of the boys. I love them so much. They’re such great kids.”

Waikīkī Elementary School students created a Kamehameha Butterfly mosaic that was unveiled last week at the Honolulu Zoo. Students have been learning about the butterfly, one of two species endemic to Hawai‘i, through a partnership with the Honolulu Zoological Society. The mosaic, along with accompanying signage and QR code, allows students to share what they learned with zoo visitors.

Kapālama Elementary School students recorded a reggae cover of "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival using the Line Studio at Washington Middle School through the Farrington Complex Music Project. Students gained exposure to careers in music and the arts — all to foster their creativity. Local musicians Jake Shimabukuro, Bobby Ingano, Kalaʻe Camarillo and Andrew Kamoku laid the tracks for the song.

Sofia Pimentel is a senior at Lāna‘i High and Elementary School, where she serves as the school’s primary representative to the Hawai‘i State Student Council and as historian for Associated Students Lāna‘i High. Passionate about fashion and design, Sofia hopes to one day start her own business. She is also actively involved in school athletics, participating on the cheerleading, cross country, and tennis teams. Outside of school, she enjoys sewing and spending time at the beach. As she prepares for college, she looks forward to carrying the lessons and values she has gained from growing up on Lāna‘i, especially the importance of taking pride in where she comes from.

Skye Banda

Occupation: Education & Employment Case Manager for Residential Youth Services and Empowerment
What school you grad? Waiʻanae High ‘17
Location: Waiʻanae, HI

Wai‘anae native Skye Banda serves as an education and employment case manager with Residential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE), a non-profit organization founded in 2018 that services opportunity youth in Hawai‘i through empowerment and personalized support. RYSE has an access center in Kailua, where at-risk youth can drop in for free showers, laundry facilities, hot meals, clothing, toiletries and hygiene supplies as well as referrals for different services. Beyond serving as a shelter, RYSE offers a comprehensive range of services, including counseling, mentoring, education, life skills training, case management and advocacy. In her role, she helps at-risk youth between the ages of 14 and 24 explore educational and employment opportunities, whether it’s earning a GED, obtaining a high school diploma, or researching trade schools and colleges that align with their interests, goals and individual needs.

Banda attended Mā‘ili Elementary School, Wai‘anae Intermediate School and Wai‘anae High School. She previously served as a substitute teacher for the Leeward District schools and currently volunteers with Wai'anae Intermediate School’s music program. 

Q: What was your journey like after high school?
A: After high school, I struggled to find a career that truly gave my life meaning. As a result, I often moved from one employer to another, simply trying to stay busy while searching for my purpose. A little over two years ago, I began volunteering at Waiʻanae Intermediate School, and that experience changed my life. It was there that I discovered my calling: helping students and young adults find their own paths and realize their potential. More recently, I joined RYSE, where I have the opportunity to support homeless youth and young adults as they work toward their goals and futures. I could not have asked for a more rewarding career, and I feel truly blessed to do work that makes a difference in the lives of others.

Q: Name of a teacher or mentor you’d like to thank?
A: I have two teachers whom I absolutely love and would not be the person I am today without.

The first is my Wai‘anae High School JROTC instructor, 1st Sergeant Milo Sinapati. He taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, confidence and character. Most importantly, he showed me that it’s okay to stand out from the crowd and be unapologetically yourself. The lessons he taught me continue to guide me in everything I do.

The second teacher I would like to thank is my chorus teacher from Wai‘anae Intermediate School, Mrs. Shanita Akana. Mrs. Akana helped me find my voice, both as a singer and as a person. Her encouragement and belief in me made a lasting impact on my life. Even today, she, Principal John Wataoka, and the entire faculty and staff at Wai‘anae Intermediate School continue to welcome me back as a volunteer. Through that opportunity, I am able to help current chorus students find their voices just as Mrs. Akana helped me find mine. For that, I will always be grateful.