Kamehameha Schools Take Part in Tri-Campus Summit

Editor’s Note: The first Tri-Campus Student-Athlete Summit in Hawaii was held at three Kamehameha campuses last summer. The school is for Native Hawaiians only, and bringing the three campuses (Maui island, Hawaii island and Oahu island) together for a Summit was a first. Several words in the article are in the Hawaiian dialect with the English meaning in parentheses.

For 2½ days last summer, ‘ālapa haumāna (students) gathered at KS Kapālama for Kamehameha Schools’ first-ever Tri-Campus Student-Athlete Advisory Council Leadership Summit. Thirty-five haumāna (students) and six chaperones from all three campuses participated in spiritual, physical and cultural activities immersed in ‘ōiwi (native) leadership. Haumāna (students) were mixed into three different hui (groups) with alakaii (in charge) representation from each campus: Lehua (KSH),Ilima (KSK) and Lokelani (KSM).

Throughout the Summit, the hui (groups) received points for different events and activities that took place, with the winner to be announced on the last day following the I Mua (straight ahead) Olympics.

The event served as a way to unite Kamehameha Schools’ haumāna (students) and build pilina (relationships) through athletics. KS Kapālama haumāna (student) Ava Ulufale said, “I always wanted an event like this to bring our three campuses together as student-athletes. I am honored to be part of this first-ever tri-campus summit and made friendships with Maui and Hawaii campuses that will last a lifetime.”

The summit kicked off with breakout sessions that concluded with each hui (group) performing a skit on what it meant to be a warrior. Cultural icon, kumu (teacher) Hinaleimoana Wong KSK’90 followed with a powerful ‘oli that haumāna (students) were able to perform on the last day.

KS Hawaii haumāna (student) Ziona Launiu shared, “When we did the ‘oli (song) made by Kumu (teacher) Hina, I felt really connected and strong together. The presentation on kūlana (status) and kuleana (responsibility) changed my mindset because we were chosen to be leaders of our school with certain responsibilities to fulfill.”

The second day began with keynote speaker, Pono Ma’a KSK’82, a former two-time men’s volleyball All-American at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (1984, 1986) who played for the USA National Team in 1986. He also played pro beach volleyball. Pono is currently KS Director of Advancement, Executive Director of Pauahi Foundation. He was followed by breakout sessions with KSK Director of Campus Athletics and Human Performance Rob Hesia, Concussion expert Troy Furutani, and KSK Athletic Relations Association Abu Maafala. Athletes learned more about college recruiting, concussion awareness and character skill building.

The haumāna (students) spent the afternoon and evening at the Polynesian Cultural Center where they experienced village presentations, an ono buffet, and the “HA: Breath of Life” night show. On the ride back to Kapālama campus, haumāna (students) shared the tradition of singing the alma mater. “I had a great time and had so much fun, especially meeting and being with other Kamehameha campuses, truly appreciated the opportunity,” said KS Kapālama haumāna (student) Abigail Ellis.

Daniel Rich of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes opened the third day with valuable manao (thought) (for our haumāna (students) to continue developing their relationship with Ke Akua (God) on their respective campuses. Each hui (group), including KS athletic staff, competed in the I Mua (straight ahead) Olympics with volleyball, pickleball and basketball activities.

KS Kapālama Poo Kula Taran Chun KSK’95 joined in the competition and closed out the summit with powerful manao (thought) to encourage our haumāna (students) to strive for ōiwi (native) leadership on their campuses. The summit was well-received by athletes who expressed their joy and appreciation.

‘Īmaikalani Kramer, KS Maui haumāna (student) said, “I loved meeting my fellow Kamehameha brothers and sisters and expressing our passion in sports and all around just having fun. I found it encouraging that we have multiple resources to help us be leaders of not only our sports teams but our lāhui.”

The summit was organized by the KS Summit Leadership Committee members: Courtney Chai and Kingsley Ah You (KS Kapālama), Hoku Haliniak (KS Hawaii), and Mahina Hannemann-Gago (KS Maui).

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