Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i

‘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.‘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 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.

At Kamehameha Hawai‘i, 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.

News and announcements

February 20, 2025

Lend your leo to new ʻōiwi-run app meant to amplify ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi

A new ʻōiwi-run app, Lauleo, seeks to gather voices of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi speakers to develop AI speech recognition tools. The app’s creators view themselves as kiaʻi of this data, making sure it’s kānaka, not big tech who decide how it’s used.

February 18, 2025

Tickets now available for Hōʻike 2025: ʻEmalani

ʻEmalani is an original Hawaiian opera that spans the entire life of Queen Emma and highlights many significant events in her life and in the history of Hawaiʻi.

February 18, 2025

KS in the news: Jason Momoa, Kamehameha students unite to combat plastic waste

Kamehameha Schools is making significant strides in various fields, from cultural and educational partnerships to environmental initiatives and athletic achievements.

More Hawai‘i campus news »