‘ŌIWI EDGE - OUR CAMPUS IDENTITY

To reclaim and collectively advance a narrative of native Hawaiians thriving, Kamehameha Hawai‘i haumāna will have an ‘Ōiwi Edge—a strong ancestral foundation that shapes their agency, adaptability, and well-being giving them a competitive advantage to fulfill their unique purpose and kuleana.

‘Ōiwi Edge is our campus identity unique to Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i, which is inspired by Ke Ali‘i Pauahi’s lineage to Hawai‘i, our kūpuna, and generations of heroes and innovators who shaped our communities. ‘Ōiwi Edge empowers us with a worldview and mindsets to actively shape a rapidly changing world with vision, courage, and aloha

‘Ōiwi Edge is rooted in the belief that Native Hawaiian identity is a source of mana, inspiration, and cultural armor for our learners as they venture into a global economy where the most valuable job skills are no longer technical in nature—they are skills such as empathy, adaptability, creativity, innovation, critical reflection, and the ability to navigate complexity.

Our ‘Ōiwi Edge Learning and Teaching Expectations are guided by three main pillars:

KAUHALE | ‘Ōiwi Center

Our Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i kauhale is a nexus of pilina whose structures and values put the learner at the center.

MO‘OLELO | ‘Ōiwi Narrative

Learners are aware of their history, good and bad, and use it to inform their future by telling their own story, using multiple perspectives aimed at solutions that de-center destructive and toxic narratives.

NA‘AUAO | An ‘Ōiwi Edge

Learners identify as learned persons who understand that knowledge is crucial to countering generational socioeconomic and political inequity.

Our community is blessed to be a center of Hawaiian education, which means ‘ohana have many choices. We are humbled and grateful every time an ‘ohana chooses Kamehameha Hawai‘i for their keiki’s educational journey. Our students distinguish themselves through a very rigorous process and the collection of these many talents and mo‘okū‘auhau enriches our school significantly. At Kamehameha Hawai‘i, haumāna co-create a vision for their future. Our graduates go on to top tier universities both here locally in Hawai‘i and across the continent. We are here to support each student’s pathway in finding their unique purpose and kuleana in service to our lāhui. KSH prepares students through issues-based learning in today's global world, alongside the innovative thinking and design for tomorrow.

Our Kauhale Commitment is that we will nurture and invest in knowing the truth of who we are, instilling within us a strong sense of identity. Giving us the confidence to exert our agency towards empowering socioeconomic and political equity. Our students are held to the highest academic expectations.

Through a rigorous Hawaiian Culture-Based Education(HCBE) approach, we teach our haumāna to explore innovative solutions to real-world problems and to realize their academic potential through an ‘ōiwi lens.

As Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i continues to raise the bar of academic and cultural success for our haumāna, Kauluhala Summer Academy allows for a culturally rich and innovative space for all learners to thrive safely while learning their space and place in an ever-evolving world. 

Kauluhala Summer Academy 2026

It is with much excitement and joy that we share our plans for our general summer courses available at Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi June 10 - July 09, 2026.  

Registration for courses this summer is open to students entering grades K-12, including current Kamehameha Schools students, students attending the state of Hawai‘i DOE schools, public charter schools, and other private institutions. Courses will be held on campus with opportunities of online digital courses.  

Registration will open at 8:00a.m. on Thursday, January 2 for all KS Hawai‘i Students entering grades 1-8 and community students entering grades K-12. High School registration for all  current KS grades 8-11 students will be staggered by entering grade levels beginning  Monday, January 5, 2026. Early registration is recommended as course seats fill quickly.  

Enrollment is based on the date your child's application is received and upon grade level/course availability.

Program notification letters will be sent in early April. Waitlisted students are considered for enrollment up to the start of the program.

Kamehameha Schools reserves the right to cancel any course should enrollment fall below the minimum allowance or an instructor is unavailable.

Please note that kindergarten applicants must be 5 years of age by July 31, 2026.

High School Registration Windows in Infinite Campus:

Current grade 11 students:        January 5 - February 15

Current grade 10 students:     January 12 - February 15

Current grade 9 students:     January 19 - February 15

Current grade 8 students:     January 26 - February 15

KSK and KSM students  may apply and will be scheduled based on seat availability once the initial KSH seats have been scheduled, and by the date/time application is received complete.  Please apply as early as January 2, 2026 via the admissions portal at https://www.ksbe.edu/apply/summer_school/ and indicate you are currently attending Kamehameha Schools - Kapālama or Maui respectively.

The online 2026 Admissions & Financial Aid application will open at 8am on January 2 and is available from January 2, 2026 through February 15, 2026 at https://www.ksbe.edu/apply/summer_school/. You may apply for financial aid at the same time that you apply for Summer School.

Medical Clearance  

Upon your child’s acceptance, you will have access to the Moʻomōʻali Olakino (EHR) Parent Portal to complete your child’s Health Summary and Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment. At that time, you will be asked to answer a set of health questions completely so that we can adequately care for your child. 

Once enrolled:

• If your child is an out-of-state applicant, a recent KS Physical Evaluation Form dated on or after January 1, 2025 and an up-to-date immunization record are required for attendance. You will be able to upload these documents in the EHR Parent Portal.

•  Many courses require additional medical requirements such as a recent KS Physical Evaluation Form dated on or after January 1, 2025 and/or up-to-date immunization records. Please see course information to determine if these may be required for your child. You will be able to upload these documents in the EHR Parent Portal. 

•  If you have additional health information about your child’s medical condition, you will be able to upload documentation to the EHR Parent Portal. A Mālama Ola Health Services staff member may reach out to you to gather more information about your child’s condition.

Physical Form for enrollment 

Students with Disabilities 

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with physical or psychological disabilities. It is the policy of KS to make its programs, services and activities accessible to a qualified person with a disability, unless there is a fundamental alteration in the nature of the program or service, undue hardship or the student poses a direct threat to him or herself or others. A “qualified person with a disability” refers to an individual with a disability who is otherwise qualified to participate in any given school, program, or activity.

Meals/Special Diets

Nutritious meals(breakfast and lunch) prepared in the Hā‘aeamahi and Keawe Dining Hall along with daily snacks are included in the summer tuition cost. All students are required to eat school lunches. Outside food is not allowed. Students with special dietary needs must bring a physician’s note stating dietary restrictions prior to the start of the summer program. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Student Drivers

Students driving to and from campus must register prior to the start of the summer program to obtain a parking application and Student Driver’s Manual. All parking applications are kept on file with the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi High School office.  KS students with a valid 2025-2026 parking pass may use the same pass during the summer and do not need to reapply. Community students will be required to use and display the Summer 2026 Parking Pass issued by Kauluhala office. Students who hold a space on a Kamehameha bus for summer programs will not be granted driving and parking privileges. More information will be provided with your child's award letter in April.

Attendance

Kauluhala Summer Academy has a strict attendance policy. Daily attendance is critical for students to truly benefit from a rigorous and dynamic summer learning experience. Absences due to family trips and vacations, games and/or athletic tournaments are discouraged and students who are unable to commit to the program as registered should not apply.

High School Students who miss two (2) days for a 2-week session or three (3) days during the 4-week session may be released from the summer program.

Students registered and participating in the Hoʻomau Fire Academy Program during Kauluhala will receive an excused absence from scheduled courses. Arrangements with instructor for missed assignments will be expected.

Student Discipline

All students participating in Kauluhala Summer Academy must adhere to the Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi grade level Student & Parent Handbook.  All students and parents will review and sign-off on the Student-Parent Handbook during the enrollment process.