May 9, 2025

Aloha Island School ‘Ohana,

For the second time in just two weeks, I’m writing to you while crossing the Pacific—this time en route to a milestone family event: my son Sebastian’s graduation from the University of Puget Sound. 

This is a moment of celebration for our entire family. You see, graduating from a 4-year university isn’t a generational legacy in my family—not yet, anyway. My father, who is flying up from California to join us, is 83 years old.  And while this man does so much, including serving as an exceptionally creative electrical engineer for his 40+ year career, he fought to make his way to the US because he did not have access to opportunities to pursue his professional dreams. Then, when he got the chance to move to California, he worked all kinds of jobs, including picking vegetables, to be self-sufficient and put himself through trade school to earn an associates degree. And once he got his job in a small electric company, it was his drive, relentless work ethic, and ability to connect with colleagues that led him to land a job at the biggest electric company in California, even without a 4-year degree, where he spent the rest of his career. We didn’t have a lot growing up, as I learned over time that he hit his professional peak and income limit at that company because he did not have a 4-year degree. And it was that harsh reality that guided how he set a clear goal for his children.

I grew up with the clear, unwavering expectation from my parents early on: my three siblings and I would go to college. They decided they would make whatever financial and emotional sacrifices they needed to make that possible. And it remains still a source of great pride for my dad that we all did graduate. And when my younger sister, the final of their four, finished, it was then only that he and my mom believed they could spend the money to return home and see their respective families. After more than 30 years for my dad and 45 years for my mom (she emigrated as a young child) finally they were able to see siblings, their parents, and the land and ocean where they grew up, my dad in the Philippines province of Guian and my mom on the small island of Homonhon. I think often of that long absence, and how unimaginable it would feel for me now, living on Kaua‘i, to go decades without seeing my loved ones at a time where even phone calls and photographs were hard to share.  And in that reflection, I begin to truly grasp the weight of their sacrifice.

And now, my dad’s second grandchild is about to earn a college degree. Another dream realized. Another door opened because of their journey. And so it is with this in mind, this season of graduation, that I humbly head into this weekend.

And what’s ahead for Sebastian, you might ask? Who knows! I am simply excited to help him untie his boat from the dock and set sail into the unknown. He knows I’ll be here on the shore whenever I’m needed, glad for his return and for the stories he will one day share of his voyages.

And so it will be soon for all of our Island School graduates…so it is for this time of year when alumni return home – We watch them sail away, sometimes with big smiles on our faces, sometimes with tears…or both…believing in the future they will make for themselves and reveling in the stories they bring back to us.

When I return Tuesday, we’ll be just days away from Hōʻike. Let’s enjoy these final days together, celebrating all that our children have learned. As we head into these final two weeks of school, may we pause to see all they have accomplished, marveling in how they’ve grown, both intellectually and physically, right before our eyes.

Wishing you a joyful weekend—and sending special love to all the Mothers and Mother-figures in our lives as we approach Mother’s Day.  As always, thank you for reading and for sharing your children with us in our work to together raise bright, young people that our world needs.

Together,

Nancy Naramada P’29

Head of School

n.nagramada@ischool.org