Aloha Mai

Aloha Mai Island School ‘Ohana,

Cheehoo! Let’s hear it for May 15, 2026 - Kumu Sabra Kauka Day!

It’s 2 pm and I made it onto my flight to get to Los Angeles tonight so I can celebrate my nephew’s graduation with my family. I’m sitting on the plane squeezed between my son and husband, draped in the beautiful lei I was honored to receive. The fragrance is wafting across the plane as I turn towards writing my weekly note for the Compass on our 5-hour flight across the Pacific…and wow, to try and find the words to close this week after such a lovely celebration of student learning focused on the theme for our Hōʻike, Ua Ola Loko I Ke Aloha / Love Gives Life Within, and honoring Kumu Sabra Kauka – I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

  

Who couldn’t be moved by the secret project of writing and creating Finding Kumu? This collaborative project brought together the effort of nearly a quarter of our student body, from 2nd grade to seniors. (Please see the note below to purchase your own paperback copy for your own home.) Who wouldn’t be impressed at the recognition of her commitment to teaching as well as all of her achievements listed in the proclamation for Kumu Sabra Kauka Day? Who wouldn’t feel the love for all of the Island School community that made today’s Hō‘ike possible and marvel at all the student effort? It’s a little overwhelming knowing how much effort went into today on so many levels.. Under the direction of Kanānāikahaku Kuhaulua, and with the skills, leadership, and dedication of Sabra Kauka, Joyce Sun, and Joey Kalanikila Palupe…this dynamic team worked so hard with the Hōʻike Committee and all the teachers and staff across the school to make today possible. Countless hours as a team with our 450 haumāna (students) to choreograph, design, organize and teach - beyond what you saw on stage, including the reason for each specific song, the movement, and the history. What a feat! And then, the dedication of our ‘ohana who sewed, made lei, gathered greenery, played music, gave their time to prepare, gave their time to teach, gave their time to help our haumāna fully embrace the invitation of this year’s theme  - Ua Ola Loko I Ke Aloha - and share with the community through mele, oli, and hula important lessons about their journey this year. I am so grateful and honored to be a part of a community that celebrates our learning this way.

If anyone in your family had to miss today, or want the QR for the digital program, you can find the recording and QR here.

Before I close, I want to give a community shoutout to our National Honor Society (NHS) members. This past Wednesday evening at the NHS Banquet, we celebrated the graduating seniors, and welcomed the 30 new inductees. We are so grateful for the myriad of tutoring hours these dedicated students volunteer for their peers, from elementary through high school. Big shout out to Dave Reynolds, the NHS Advisor for making the event possible, as well as Luke Evslin who was the inspiring keynote speaker this year.

As we turn to the last week of school, please know our team is working hard to close the year successfully with your children. I look forward to a week of supporting our students to celebrate their learning.…whether through a final project, a final exam, or simply through enjoying each day with their peers and teachers. We have much to do before our final day of the 25-26 school year next Friday.

I myself have been the victim of what the rush of these last weeks can do to me –  a sense of “busy,” which led to me missing the beauty of a moment with our students and my colleagues. I know I will be turning towards a more intentional practice during this final week to slow down and take in each moment as they come, to express gratitude before I ever let frustration take the lead in my interactions. If this resonates for you too, let’s do it together. Here’s to a wonderful close to the school year next week.

Together,

Nancy Nagramada, P’29

Head of School

n.nagramada@ischool.org