Kamehameha Students Teach Molokai Keiki

Kamehameha Students Return to Molokai for Annual Community Service Project

Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Middle School students visited Molokai last week, to participate in an exciting and rewarding service learning project at three of the island’s elementary schools.

“The students learn about giving back to the community, through the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop,” Kamehameha middle school teacher, Jerelyn Makanui-Yoshida said. “They also realize how important education is, while interacting and engaging the younger students.”

More than 90 eighth graders traveled to Molokai to teach keiki. Divided into three groups, the Kamehameha students created a diverse mix of lessons, with classes in science, reading, and music. They provided instruction at Kilohana Elementary School, Kaunakakai Elementary School, and Kualapu`u Elementary School.

The student mentors and keiki immediately connected with each other in the classroom.

“The kids are so friendly on both sides,” said Kamalu Poepoe, Hawaiian immersion curriculum coordinator at Kualapu`u Elementary School. “It has a great impact on us as teachers. We see the students come in and offer fresh lessons, and we step outside of the box for a little while. There’s a strong feeling of ohana.”

This project has evolved into an annual tradition for Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Middle School and the Molokai community. In addition to the teaching, students also spend time sprucing up area churches and cleaning historical sites, such as the Keawa Nui fishpond. 

“It’s good to let them know that other people care about them,” said Jordan Lacsina, an eighth grade student at Kamehameha Schools Hawaii. “It feels wonderful to share our aloha with the keiki and our ohana on Molokai.”

Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.  Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling more than 6,700 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii and 31 preschool sites statewide.  Thousands of additional Hawaiian learners are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools’ outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawaii and across the continental United States.