Monthly Archives: August 2023

Reduplication of haʻa #1; low, lowly, minimum, humble, degraded, meek, unpretentious, modest, unassuming, unobtrusive; lowness, humility.

Pukui, Mary Kawena, Hawaiian dictionary : Hawaiian-English, English-Hawaiian 

ALOHA FOCUS FOR THE WEEK: HAʻAHAʻA

Sitting at Boston’s Logan Airport, feeling a strange mixture of sadness, optimism, exhaustion, excitement and parental pride, I am lost in my emotions. Just six hours ago, I hugged my daughter goodbye outside of her new apartment. Her graduate program begins next week and she needs to start studying, yet I regret not staying through the weekend…especially after hearing her say she wished I’d stay longer. While she certainly doesn’t need me, I wish we had more time setting up her place, bonding over Ted Lasso, eating pizza and making supply runs to Target. 

Four years ago, as she began her undergraduate degree, the vibe was resemblant yet so different. Back then, I took off a week as I envisioned spending a lot of time helping her set up her dorm, figuring out where her classes were, and getting to know the surrounding neighborhood. Instead, I spent much of the time alone. There was the requisite runs to Bed Bath and Beyond and IKEA, but the school already arranged for a charter bus to take all of the freshmen to Target. After dropping her belongings off at the dorm, parents were swiftly ushered off, allowing the students to begin their life as college students and being independent. On my last night in Tacoma, I begged to see her one last time. On the steps of her dorm, we had 5 minutes to sneak a hug and say goodbye before she had to return to a freshman social.

On the returning flight, I wept profusely while trying to appear nonchalant. Back then, if you asked me, I would’ve said I felt empty. But really, I was not empty. Loneliness and wistful memories of my daughter as an infant, clinging to my chest as she struggled to fall asleep completely filled my heart. As she rushed towards independence, her trailing wake, pulled on my heart and filled me with the longing to again be needed.

Now, as I prepare to board another plane, reflecting upon the teachings of Uncle Pono and Aunty Pilahi, I realize the stark difference between feeling empty and emptying yourself – especially if you need to be there for someone else. So despite being filled with those same feelings of nostalgia and yearning on this trip, I acknowledged their existence. In doing so, I did better at setting them aside so I could also make space to be present for my daughter and again set her on her way.

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5 PURSUITS of Haʻahaʻa

Inspired by Gholdy Muhammad

Please watch this: The Rabbit Listened written and read by Cori Doerrfeld. Then with you child, answer the following:

• IDENTITY: When you are sad, what makes you feel better? What about other members of your family? What makes them feel sad? What helps them feel better? 
• SKILLS: Create a Bubble Map that describes the main character, Taylor, and the rabbit.
• INTELLECT: In the book, the rabbit practices empathetic listening. What is the meaning of empathy? How is it different from sympathy? (Here’s a good resource if needed.)
• CRITICALITY: All of the other animals wanted to help Taylor feel better. Why were they unsuccessful? How might this be a lesson for us at school and in our family?
• JOY: Uncle Pono said that to be a good listener, we must be haʻahaʻa or go empty. In other words we need to temporarily empty ourselves of our thoughts, feelings, and judgements and be filled by the words and nonverbal cues of someone else. Practice being haʻahaʻa by listening to a family member tell you a story of when they were your age.

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VIRTUAL FALL MATH CAMP FOR 1ST – 3RD GRADERS

During the upcoming Fall Break (October 9 – 13) the Hawaiʻi DOE is sponsoring a free virtual Fall Math camp for Hawaiʻi public elementary school students in grades 1, 2, and 3 (not including public charter schools). Space is limited and it fills up fast. Registration is open and available here.

WEAR PINK FOR MAUI WEDNESDAYS

We are continuing to Wear Pink for Maui on Wednesdays and invite all to continue joining us in letting “that light, that divine inspiration that Aunty Pilahi Paki says is given to you at your very beginning, come through and let your ALOHA join with the ALOHA of the collective to bring about healing.” 

DAILY VIRTUAL PIKO – please join us

The Daily Piko helps us become centered and ready to learn. It helps us get on the same page, hearing one message of focus for the day and the week. If you are able, we begin at 8 AM everyday except Wednesday when we conduct the piko in-person.

https://hidoe.zoom.us/j/89410873182?pwd=dERWOEs2SldQdW5aZHpDM29vdWdhdz09

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wed, Aug 30, 2023, 4:30 – 5:30 PM	School Community Council Mtg – Join by Zoom
Thur, Aug 31, 2023, 9:30 AM	Royal Hawaiian Band Performance
Tue, Sept 5, 2023, 8:30 AM	Senator Akaka Foundation Book Celebration
Tue, Sept 12, 2023, 8:30 AM	Frank DeLima Performance
Fri, Sept 22, 2023	Waiver Day – No Students
Tue, Sept 26, 2023	Fall Picture Taking Day
Sat, Sept 30, 2023	Campus Beautification Day

Redup. of ʻolu; pleasant, nice, amiable, satisfied, contented, happy, affable, agreeable, congenial, cordial, gracious; please.

Pukui, Mary Kawena, Hawaiian dictionary : Hawaiian-English, English-Hawaiian 

ALOHA FOCUS FOR THE WEEK: ʻOLUʻOLU

When I first got into teaching, I brought to the job an engineering degree and five years experience as a camp counselor. I could lead attention-getters and ice-breakers all while explaining how to design a sewer system, but somehow these tools were ineffective with 30 ninth-graders who did not want to be in my class learning physical science. Most displayed their boredom by passively putting their heads down, but one or two competed for the class’ attention by making inappropriate jokes and noises. I tried to be strict, setting up stringent expectations and giving stern looks when students did not meet them. But students continued to show disrespect and seemed to become even more defiant. I then tried to be punitive, holding students in to make up for the time “they wasted.” But this strategy was unenforcible when the students needed to rush to another class and failed to come back for detention later in the day. Even when I could hold them in, the whole session usually devolved into a venomous battle of wills that never seemed to teach the desired lesson.

Eventually, my vice-principal arranged for me to see one of the most effective teachers on our campus, Kathy Ellwin. Mrs. Ellwin taught social studies to the same cohort of students I had for physical science. Sitting in the back of her classroom, I was dumbfounded. The same students who gave me a hard time earlier that morning, were diligently working and respectfully relating to their peers. Instead of ruling the class with stern looks, Mrs. Ellwin wore an infectious smile and taught with a melodic voice. When one student began to look frustrated – a look I’ve seen many times from this same student and often before an emotional explosion – Mrs. Ellwin calmly crouched beside him, whispered something inaudible to anyone else around and the frustration seemed to melt away. What was this magic Mrs. Ellwin beheld? How did she get such different results from the same group of students? 

Though I didn’t have the vocabulary for it back then, I now recognize it as ʻoluʻolu. Mrs. Ellwin had an affable personality, indefatigably positive and supportive. She clearly loved teaching and was wholly dedicated to her students.  The students knew this too and did not want to disappoint her.  Even if they became frustrated, as learning something challenging can elicit, Mrs. Ellwin simply whispered, “I see you are getting frustrated. How can I help you? I know that you can learn this.” And this was big for those kids who rarely had anyone express confidence in they’re being able to learn something hard. Somehow, it was what they needed to stay resilient and complete the task.

While certainly gracious, pleasant and nice, I would never call Mrs. Ellwin weak. In fact, after witnessing her teach 30 ninth graders how to write a persuasive essay, I would call her the strongest woman in the world. She did not resort to threats or punishments. Instead, she treated them like people deserving of respect, saw the best in them, and showed them aloha. She was the embodiment of ʻoluʻolu.

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5 PURSUITS of ʻOluʻolu:

Inspired by Gholdy Muhammad

Please watch this: Those Shoes written by Maribeth Boelts  and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. Then with you child, answer the following:

• IDENTITY: How do you feel when you help others? Has there been a time where other people helped your family? How did that feel?
• SKILLS: Theme is the underlying message or lesson that the author is trying to convey to the reader. What do you think might be the theme of this book? What are the story elements and picture clues that tell you that this might be the theme?
• INTELLECT: In Hawaiʻi we don’t have to worry about going to school in the snow. Research what it might be like to live in a place where it snows and what you might need to go to school when it snows.
• CRITICALITY: Have you ever given something to someone that they needed but didn’t ask for? How did that feel?
• JOY: Make a list of volunteer activities or ways that people can share and give in your community. Point out different examples to your child and talk about the different ways people help each other. Pick an activity and do something that helps others this week.

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WEAR PINK FOR MAUI WEDNESDAYS

For the time being, we will continue to Wear Pink for Maui on Wednesdays and we hope all continue to join us in letting “that light, that divine inspiration that Aunty Pilahi Paki says is given to you at your very beginning, come through and let your ALOHA join with the ALOHA of the collective to bring about healing.” 

DAILY VIRTUAL PIKO – please join us

The Daily Piko helps us become centered and ready to learn. It helps us get on the same page, hearing one message of focus for the day and the week. If you are able, we begin at 8 AM everyday except Wednesday when we conduct the piko in-person.

https://hidoe.zoom.us/j/89410873182?pwd=dERWOEs2SldQdW5aZHpDM29vdWdhdz09

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wed, Aug 30, 2023, 4:30 – 5:30 PM	School Community Council Mtg – Join by Zoom
Thur, Aug 31, 2023, 9:30 AM	Royal Hawaiian Band Performance
Tue, Sept 5, 2023, 8:30 AM	Senator Akaka Foundation Book Celebration
Tue, Sept 12, 2023, 8:30 AM	Frank DeLima Performance
Fri, Sept 22, 2023	Waiver Day – No Students
Tue, Sept 26, 2023	Fall Picture Taking Day
Sat, Sept 30, 2023	Campus Beautification Day

Agreement in mind; unanimity of sentiment; union of feeling; oneness; similarity. 

Andrews, Hawaiian Dictionary, 1865

ALOHA FOCUS FOR THE WEEK: LŌKAHI

Before he passed, Uncle Pono Shim was asked to mediate between military leaders and community members protesting the poisoning of the wells beneath Red Hill. Amidst the angry outcries and the weary excuses, Uncle Pono asked for everyone’s attention. He shared his observations about the contempt each side seemed to have for the other and then said, “Despite this, do you know what we all have in common?” An impatient silence fell across the room. “None of us here caused this. This is a problem we inherited and it’s a problem only together we can solve.” Once the Lōkahi all parties shared was pointed out and acknowledged, the healing began. Discussions became more productive and progress was made.

Aunty Pilahi Paki taught Pono that Lōkahi was about how we are already connected and aloha was about acknowledging and building upon this shared connection. Whether addressing a community calamity or a dispute on the playground, we need to uncover our Lōkahi. With regards to the playground, the Lōkahi might be that everyone wants to have fun and to make friends. Depending on our age, background, interests, and social awareness, we may need to clarify what we like and don’t appreciate. Sometimes someone’s fun might be interpreted as bullying by the receiver. So the behavior needs to be pointed out and the Lōkahi needs to be acknowledge so that all can have fun.

When we teach our children to advocate for themselves in a kind yet strong manner, we help them to become leaders. They learn that they have agency in instances where they might’ve felt fear or powerlessness. Even if the interaction results in the need for our children to ask an adult to step in, they are left more empowered. And this begins with their being able to recognize the Lōkahi in any interaction.

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5 PURSUITS OF LŌKAHI:

Inspired by Gholdy Muhammad

Please watch this: Luli and the Language of Tea written by Andrea Wang  and illustrated by Hyewon Yum. Then with you child, answer the following:

• IDENTITY: What is the word(s) for tea in the language of your kupuna/ancestors?
• SKILLS: Setting is where a story takes place. What is the setting for this book? What are the story elements and picture clues that tell you where it is set?
• INTELLECT: Research the origins of tea. What part of the world did it come from? How did it spread to become one of the most popular beverages in the world?
• CRITICALITY: How is Lōkahi represented in this story and how did it bring the children together?
• JOY: Use these tea cup templates by the illustrator Hyewon Yum to design your own tea cup that represents your identity.

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DAILY VIRTUAL PIKO – please join us

With the start of the new year, we bring back Daily Virtual Piko. This practice helps us become centered and ready to learn. It helps us get on the same page, hearing one message of focus for the day and the week. If you are able, we begin at 8 AM everyday except Wednesday when we conduct the piko in-person.

https://hidoe.zoom.us/j/89410873182?pwd=dERWOEs2SldQdW5aZHpDM29vdWdhdz09

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wed, Aug 16, 2023 6:30 PM	KES Ohana Mtg – Hybrid  Attend in-person at the library -or- Attend via Zoom
Fri, Aug 18, 2023	Statehood Day – no school
Wed, Aug 30, 2023 4:30 – 5:30 PM	School Community Council Mtg – Join by Zoom

Modest, gentle, unassuming, unpretentious, unobtrusive, docile, decorous, meek, suave; meekness, modesty

Pukui, Mary Kawena, Hawaiian dictionary : Hawaiian-English, English-Hawaiian 

Aka, with, care, and hai, to speak. To be tender of heart; meek

Andrews, Lorrin, A Dictionary of the Hawaiian Language

ALOHA FOCUS FOR THE WEEK: AKAHAI

Over the span of my lifetime, there have been several seminal, world-disrupting events that left an indelible mark on how we live our lives. Some were like a bolt of lightening – blinding for a brief moment, but leaving burns and scars that never seem to heal – like 9-11. Prior to that horrific event, security around air travel was nonchalant. I remember my friends and I crowding the airport gates, hanging out until a classmate boarded the plane to fly off to college. And now, even a bottle of water can’t make it past security. 

The COVID-19 pandemic similarly had an immediately jarring effect, dismantling the economy, keeping us confined in our homes for nearly half-a-year, and claiming far more lives than any single terrorist attack. Yet, the pandemic continued on, evolved, worsened, and continued to linger even after a vaccine was discovered. Many people experienced (and continue to experience) trauma, felt burnt out, reassessed their lives, changed their careers. Consequently, many businesses lack enough employees to stay afloat.

COVID-19 similarly affected schools. Since 2020, we had four teachers quit, two staff transfer and five retire mid-year, causing us to scramble to fill those positions with the best personnel and substitutes we could find. At times, our discernment caused us to delay in hiring and left us scrambling to cover the classes and roles as best we could. Eventually, we were blessed to find talented and loving teachers but not without valuable time lost and many anxious moments. 

This year, we begin the school year adequately staffed. All homerooms are opening with wonderful and passionate teachers – some are new, but all are willing to learn and grow to provide our students rigorous, relevant learning experiences. While there are key positions that still need to be filled, such as our School Administrative Services Assistant, our devoted team stepped up to ensure school operations are not impacted and the start of school begins well.

The wonderful team we’ve put together, after years of struggle, reminds me of a quote I heard watching Ted Lasso. A character shares about how devastated he felt after his partner cheated and left him for another person. But then he started to see life differently, “I realized this thing didn’t happen to me, it happened for me.” Even in grief and trauma, we can still find pono – or hope – we can still experience akahai, grace.

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5 PURSUITS of AKAHAI:

Inspired by Gholdy Muhammad

Please watch this: The Name Jar read by the book’s author and illustrator Yangsook Choi. Then with you child, answer the following:

• IDENTITY: Do you know the meaning behind your name? Who named you and what was the reason why you were given your name?
• SKILLS: Describe the main characters in the story {looks like, feelings, thoughts, character}
• INTELLECT: Unhei immigrated to the United States from Korea. Did anyone in your family leave the home of their ancestors to come to Hawaiʻi? Where did they come fro? When did they arrive? Why did they leave their home to come here?
• CRITICALITY: “Identity is not just who we are but also who we are called to be” How might your name, be a call for you to make the world a better place?
• JOY: Follow the instructions at the end of the video and draw a self-portrait to get to know yourself.

KĀNEʻOHE ELEMENTARY ʻOHANA HANDBOOK

Please review this year’s ʻOhana Handbook prior to the start of the year. Please pay close attention to the following sections:

• Drop-Off and Pick-Up
• Attendance Policy
• Water and Snacks at Schoolincluding our celebration policy and how we ask all families to consider non-edible items when celebrating birthdays, etc. 
• Cell Phones/Smart Watches policy

DAILY VIRTUAL PIKO – please join us

With the start of the new year, we bring back Daily Virtual Piko. This practice helps us become centered and ready to learn. It helps us get on the same page, hearing one message of focus for the day and the week. If you are able, we begin at 8 AM everyday except Wednesday when we conduct the piko in-person.

https://hidoe.zoom.us/j/89410873182?pwd=dERWOEs2SldQdW5aZHpDM29vdWdhdz09

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mon, Aug 7, 2023	Castle Complex Planning and Collaboration Day, no students
Tue, Aug 8, 2023	Waiver Day, no students
Wed, Aug 9, 2023	First day of school for students Gr 1 – 6
Wed, Aug 9, 2023 4:30 – 5:30 PM	Wellness Committee Mtg – Join by Zoom
Wed, Aug 16, 2023 6:00 PM	KES Ohana Mtg – Hybrid  Attend in-person at the library Attend via Zoom
Fri, Aug 18, 2023	Statehood Day – no school
Wed, Aug 30, 2023 4:30 – 5:30 PM	School Community Council Mtg – Join by Zoom