Friday Night Lights

Our Inter football team played St. Louis under the bright lights of Kūnuiakea.  While the scoreboard didn't show what we were hoping for in a win, we coudln't be prouder of our girls who were also on the field that night.  Keeping the energy up and cheering the team along were are cheerleaders- Lei'a, Hapuna, Kalehua, Kiele and Morgan, as well as the girls who help support the team, our managers- Chelin, Kensie and Breya.  

While we didn't win, we still enjoyed the exciting night and another experience of school spirit and pride!

Weekend Fun

Some of our recent weekend activities- free play in Keawe playing volleyball and basketball and of course, Kendama!  Kumu JJ brought the boys over to challenge the girls in a kendama tournament.  There wasn't an actual tournament, but it was fun to watch everyone challenge each other.  

Zablan

Westside bound!  We headed out to Nānākuli to set up camp for the day at Zablan beach.  The waves were big enough to have fun but not too big to make us stress.  It was a beautiful day to swim, play in the sand and just be outdside.  There were two food trucks that came by- an ice cream truck and a shave ice truck, both welcomed treats to cool off in the heat of the day.  The day was really fun and relaxing and we ended by watching the sunset.

Huliamahi

We spent a Thursday afternoon connecting to Kapālama through our aloha 'āina work at Huliamahi.  We learned about rock stacking and experienced laulima and ma ka hana ka 'ike.  Mahalo to our kumu from Hālau Kūkalaulama and our awesome kumu PA for hosting us.  

Welcome Back Dinner

Our first dinner with all of Nā Hale a Pauahi was our annual welcome dinner!  We had a delicious dinner with an ono dessert.  We got to write letters to our future selves and got to hear from a member of each dorm about their connection to the kahua of kuleana.  Shout out to our own Lei'a for representing our dorm well.  Looking forward to a great year!

Huaka'i i Maunalua Fishpond and Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park

We ventured out to the east side and got to participate in a community workday at Maunalua Fishpond.  The girls worked together to prepare all the things we needed- lunch, snacks, water, tents, tables and coolers!  It was a true demonstration of 'A'ohe Hana Nui Ke Alu 'Ia- no work is too big when done together.  Mahalo nui to Kumu Ana, Kumu Noe and Kumu Ray for helping with the prep the night before.    

We got to take a tour of the area and hear about the history and restoration efforts of the community.  It is a great example of our grade level theme- 'O Hawai'i Ku'u Kulāiwi, teaching us that we can work together to bring back the purpose and beauty of the 'āina when we work together.  

The girls worked really hard and got a lot done in the short time we were there.  We moved and sorted rocks that are going to be used to build a wall in preparation for a lo'i.  They also shoveled and moved dirt to use as backfill.  

After a few hours of work, we were able to harvest and open up coconut and enjoyed fresh wai niu and even got to eat some niu haohao.  A handful of us even took a dip in Kānewai springs.  What a treat!  

We walked over to Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park to have lunch and spend a few hours in the ocean.  The tide was low so the girls got to walk out pretty far with our awesome lifeguard.  

Mahalo nui loa to Kumu Richelle for setting up this awesome huaka'i.  We also had Kumu Sandy with us who shared a little more about Kuli'ou'ou since that is where she is from.  What a beautiful day! 

Mahalo nui to the girls who signed up to participate!  We also mahalo the girls who cheered us along as well as held our banner at each game station.  

Aloha Games 2026

Our first Nā Hale a Pauahi event was held under the bright lights at Kūnuiākea Stadium.  The girls signed up to play games that required team work, strategy and the willingness to just try.  

The girls did a great job and gave it their best efforts.  What we lack in experience and skill, we made up for with enthusiasm and team spirit.  It was really fun to be part of and watch the girls make memories.  

Mahalo to Kumu Ray for capturing the moments along with our other KS photographers.  

Oh my Lala

What a first weekend we had!  Before Hurricane Lala could literally rain on our parade, we had a fun Friday night.  Some girls went to watch the varsity football team challenge the visiting Orem Tigers.  We didn't win, but they had fun up at Kūnuiākea cheering on the Warriors.  

The girls who didn't go to the game either hung out in the dorm or headed over to Keawe gym for free play.  Basketball games were intense and volleyball games were fun.  

Saturday morning we headed over to Target Salt Lake.  The girls did a good job following instructions and meeting expectations of being off campus.  We got back to campus and took a little break before we started our hale retreat.  It looked a little different than planned because we couldn't go to the spaces we wanted to, but the girls did so well.  Here is a quick run down of activities we did.  Please ask the girls about it, they can share more information- 

Fill my cup!  Girls took time to write compliments or positive words of encouragement to each other

Oli- Ku'u Home i Kapālama.  Our 8th grade alaka'i helped the 7th graders learn the oli that was written just for our program.  We were very impressed with how well they did- both the alaka'i and the ones just learning it

Namesake Lesson- Kumu Richelle shared our connection to Kaha'ōpūlani, her connection to Kamehameha and the traits and characteristics we hope to help the girls nurture while they are with us

Goal Setting- the girls gave suggestions on goals we can try to achieve as a dorm.  There were 8 topics that they brainstormed on.  We will finailize the goals this week and we also got 8 girls who want to alaka'i the goal groups

'O Hawai'i Ku'u Kulāiwi- we did a painting activity where the girls were able to share their connection to the kulāiwi, their home

Our retreat got cut short because the power went out, but one of the highlights and unfinished activities was our Just Dance competition.  We had 5 teams competing and when the power went out, there was a three way tie- Groups 1, 2 and 5 all won one round each.  To be continued...

The girls did great during the power outage and we ended the night with the lights on

Sunday was another day in the hale due to the weather.  Kumu Richelle and Kumu Laura continued the retreat activities.  Painting, puzzle pieces, and more!

School was cancelled for Monday so it gave more opportunities to continue the retreat activities

Code of Conduct Gallery- girls were able to give input on the expectations of a few of the spaces in our hale.  This will help us to all be on the same page

We finally got the green light to be outside.  Girls played out on the courts, we were able to go off campus and do some shopping at Kamehameha Shopping Center.  We were also able to go up to Kekuhaupi'o gym and Keawe gym to play volleyball, basketball and soccer

It was a long weekend with a lot of uncertainty but we are so so grateful that we were safe, dry and cared for.  Mahalo nui to our ops teams, FLIK dining staff, security, athletics and Nā Hale a Pauahi admin team for everything that was done to make sure we were okay.  Praying for the 'ohana and the communities that were affected by the storm. 

Meet Alice aka Laquisha 

During the first two weeks of school, we took advantage of the light homework load and worked through our ho'okele lessons to help level set for the year.  One of the lessons we participated in was about personal hygiene.  We had a jan ken po tournament and then discussed the different ways that we can properly take care of the different parts of our body.  

Learning to have difficult conversations comes with the territory of community living.  We hope that this helps the girls feel courageous when they need to have one and lead with aloha.  

Week 1 kine tings

Move in, pilina activities, lessons, routines, oh, and school!  We're halfway through the first week of the new school year.  The 7th graders moved in on Monday and we had 5 of our 8th graders as well.  What a blessing it was to have these 8th grade alaka'i to help lead converstaions, demonstrate processes and role model the expectations.  Mahalo nui to Breya, Mileena, Pi'ilani, Hāea and Chelin.  

We welcomed back our 8th graders on Sunday and Monday.  We've covered a number of lessons as we try to get everyone on the same page here at Kaha'ōpūlani.  It's been fun getting familiar- with each other, with the spaces and the routines.  Here are a few photos from this past week.