Kapiʻolani Nui Hale

📱 Cell: (808) 620-1917

☎️ Office: (808) 842-8505 ext. 28505

📧 Email: kapiolaninui@ksbe.edu

Welcome to the Kapiʻolani Nui Hale homepage!
We are proud to serve as the kumu of Kapiʻolani Nui Hale, where our mission is to create a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for all haumāna. Our commitment is to uphold the values of mālama, kuleana, kūlia and alakaʻi lawelawe. We prioritize every student’s wellbeing, identity, and growth as they become the E Ola! graduate.

We are guided by the ʻōlelo noʻeau:
O ke kahua mamua, ma hope ke kūkulu.
Set a firm foundation first, then build upon the framework and shape its impact.

This proverb reminds us that lasting success and meaningful growth require careful attention to the groundwork, whether for a building, a hale, or a community. It encourages all to focus on creating stability and strength at the core before moving forward with new endeavors.

Kumu Rei, Kumu Jancie, Kumu Jinny, Kumu Ana

Rei DeLuze

Welcome to Kapiʻolani Nui!

My name is Kumu Rei, and I have been part of the Residential Life Department since 2021. Before joining Kamehameha Schools, I lived in Portland, Oregon, where I worked in various mental health settings. I’ve always had a passion for working with youth, and I’m excited to bring my background in mental health to support and uplift our haumāna.

Jancie Dela Cruz jadelacr@ksbe.edu

With 19 years of teaching experience, I am deeply passionate about nurturing children and being a meaningful part of their life journey. I am committed to supporting their cultural understanding, individual growth, and overall development, helping each child flourish both academically and personally.

Born and raised on Kauai, I understand the importance of family values and how that shapes who we are as individuals, adding to the 'ohana we are building here at our dorm hale.

Jinny McIlvaine jimcilva@ksbe.edu

I am passionate about education and creating nurturing spaces where students can thrive.

My journey began as a Special Education Teacher in New Jersey for 3 years. I’ve learned the power of patience, empathy, and creating inclusive spaces for all learners. Since 2021, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Residential Life Advisor at Kamehameha Schools.

What I love most about my role is building a fun, safe, and supportive environment where students can grow not just academically, but personally and culturally. Helping students explore and embrace their Hawaiian identity is one of the most meaningful parts of my work, and I’m honored to walk alongside them on that journey every day.

Kiana Amby-Correia

kiambyco@ksbe.edu

Aloha kākou, my name is Kiana but I go by Ana. I am a proud alumna of Kamehameha Schools and a former boarder in Kapiʻolani Nui, where I was blessed to experience the unique sense of pilina and ʻohana that Res Life has to offer. Those years shaped who I am today and deepened my gratitude for the opportunities made possible through the vision and legacy of Ke Aliʻi Pauahi.

I have been with my husband since 2011, and together we share the joy of raising our daughter, who is truly the heart of our ʻohana. Living a simple life surrounded by family is what keeps me grounded and brings me the greatest happiness. My roots are on the island of Lānaʻi, and before accepting this kuleana, I lived in the beautiful community of Kahaluʻu on the windward side of Oʻahu.

I hold both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, and through this path I have discovered a deep passion for connecting with others, nurturing relationships, and walking alongside people in their life journeys. In Res Life, my hope is to create a safe, supportive space for our haumāna, where they feel cared for, valued, and empowered to grow.

It is truly my privilege to partner with ʻohana to support our keiki, and to help them navigate their time here with aloha and kuleana. I look forward to building lasting pilina with each of you and ensuring that every keiki feels a sense of belonging and ʻohana throughout their Res Life journey.

Kapiʻolani Nui Namesake

Born in Hilo, Chiefess Kapiʻolani Nui—whose name means Heavenly Arch—was the daughter of Kekikipaʻa and Keawemaʻuhili, the half-brother of Kalaniʻōpuʻu and a high-ranking chief of Hilo of the Keawe line. Kapiʻolani later married Naʻihe of Kona, who became the national orator for both Liholiho (Kamehameha II) and Kauikeaouli (Kamehameha III).

She was widely known for her deep commitment to Christianity and for exemplifying extraordinary bravery and strength. During a time when warfare and disease devastated the ʻāina, Kapiʻolani challenged the long-held fear of Pele, one of the most powerful and revered Hawaiian deities. Believing her people were bound by fear, she resolved to break Pele’s hold over them.

In December 1824, Kapiʻolani undertook a courageous journey from Kona to openly defy Pele. Despite pleas from her family, friends, and attendants to turn back, she declared to her people: “If I am destroyed by Pele, you may worship her. If I am not, you must turn to the one true God.” Upon reaching the edge of the crater, she ate ʻōhelo berries—sacred to Pele—and cast stones into the crater, proclaiming, “I do not fear Pele.” She survived, and news of her fearless act spread rapidly among the people and Christian communities alike, becoming a powerful testament to her faith and resolve.

On a deeply personal note, Kapiʻolani once again demonstrated remarkable courage in March 1841 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent the removal of her entire right breast without anesthesia. Witnesses recorded that she endured the procedure with extraordinary dignity and composure. Due to complications from the surgery, Chiefess Kapiʻolani Nui passed away on May 5, 1841.

Our Rooms:

Mail Delivery:

Kamehameha Schools, Residential Life

Building 1 Keopuolani Uka

Studentsʻs Name, Kapiʻolani Nui Hale

2285 Girls Road, Honolulu HI 96817

Food Delivery:2275 Dorm Circle, Honolulu HI 96817Meal delivery hours: Friday, 7-8 pmSaturday, 2-3 pm, 7-8 pmSunday, 2-4 pm

PEPELUALI

In true celebration of “once a Kapiʻo girl, always a Kapiʻo girl” and the traditions we hold close, we invited our former Kapiʻo girls back to get ready for Sophomore Banquet. Kumu Rei and Kumu Ana dressed up and proudly shuttled them to the banquet in style (Yellow Minibus LOL). Our juniors also joined in the celebration, attending alongside some of our sophomores. It was a beautiful evening filled with sisterhood, memories, and the spirit of Kapiʻo that continues to bring us together.

Alumni Dinner

We were truly blessed to be graced with the presence of a former Kapiʻolani Nui boarder and alumna, Kaimilei Keamoai-Strickland. Born and raised on Kauaʻi, she is fluent in both ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and ʻōlelo Niʻihau.

Kaimilei shared her beautiful hula, mele, and ʻike with our haumāna, and we are so grateful for these meaningful, full circle moments. It is always so special to see our former Kapiʻo girls return to uplift and inspire the next generation. Mahalo nui for pouring into our girls and continuing the legacy of ʻike, aloha, and pilina. Once a Kapiʻo girl, always a Kapiʻo girl.

IANUALI

We started the new year with a camping trip to create more meaningful memories. We learned new things about one another and strengthened our connections. Big Mahalos to our student leaders, Taylor and Hulali, who worked closely with Kumu Jinny to help plan and lead engaging activities throughout the trip.

Our sophomores having fun at Ice Palace

ʻAha Mele Lokahi Concert

Mahalo Nui loa to our aweome Program assistants who worked so hard to put on this wonderful concert. Our girls were skanking their hearts out with Anuhea.

Aloha Games

Makahiki

Even though we placed 4th in the Makahiki games, we were so proud of our haumāna! They cheered louder than anyone for their hale sisters, showing incredible spirit and unity. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better outcome — it’s the support for us!

31st Made In Hawaiʻi

Haumāna supporting and buying locally made products at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival! The long lines and big crowds didn’t stop them from shopping their little hearts out. Us Kumu were definitely living vicariously through their shopping hauls!

Hānaiakamalama - Queen Emma Summer Palace

The wahine of Kapiʻolani Nui Hale proudly assisted the Daughters of Hawaiʻi at the 48th Annual Community Festival for Hānaiakamalama: Queen Emma Summer Palace in Nuʻuanu. Our haumāna played a variety of important roles—serving as greeters, grounds caretakers, docents, and vendor assistants—helping to ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for all attendees. This event serves as a vital fundraiser for the Daughters of Hawaiʻi, with all proceeds supporting the historic preservation, maintenance, and daily operations of the Palace and its beautiful grounds. We mahalo our haumāna for their kōkua and invite our community to continue supporting this meaningful event that helps preserve the legacy of our aliʻi.

This huakaʻi helped us reflect on the heavy kuleana our aliʻi carried as they sought ways to help our people thrive. Standing in her home—where she likely envisioned the creation of St. Andrew’s Priory—was a powerful reminder of her foresight and compassion. Like Princess Pauahi, she looked to education as a pathway forward for our lāhui, ensuring that future generations would have the tools and opportunities to succeed.

Hauʻoli Lā Heleui

Spirit Week & Spooktacular Costumes

Kahakai

Mālama Honua

Ekalesia O Kupaianaha

Mahalo to Kahu Kanani Franco and her beautiful congregation for welcoming all us, our haumāna experienced heartfelt worship and a deeper connection to Ke Akua.

Nohoʻana Farms

Mahalo to Hōkūao Pellegrino for his time and sharing space where our haumāna worked in the loʻi, got to kuʻi kalo, and listened to the rich moʻolelo of Maui that rooted their learning in place.

Kuʻia Lahaina

We really wanted to engage in restoration efforts in Lahaina. With Kuʻia Lahaina, haumāna helped to plant ʻaʻaliʻi, weeding and learned about ongoing efforts to support and uplift the community. Mahalo Nui to Mililani, Sarah and Dan for all your manaʻo and time.

“He ʻaʻaliʻi kū makani mai au; ʻaʻohe makani nāna e kulaʻi"

I am a wind-resisting ʻaʻaliʻi; no gale can push me over

Liliʻuokalani Center

On November 19th, we had our first Res Life dinner in ʻAkahi dinning hall. We celebrated Lā Kūʻokoʻa and gave our Mahalo to all the departments that support us - Flik, Operations, Transportation, Behavioral Health Specialists and Hale Ola. Each grade level offered their thanks and our 9/10 offered hula and oli. Mahalo nui to our Kapiʻolani Nui wahine - Kawena, Tailer, Hulali F., Hulali H., Alley and Khayzli and Kinaʻu Hale kāne - Kalau and Kaikona. A special Mahalo to Kumu Paki with Kinaʻu Hale who helped them prepare for this dinner.