Kamehameha Schools Preschools

Meet Our Kumu: Alison Makanui-Lopes, KS Preschools: Kalihi-Pālama and Kapālama What inspired you to become a kumu at KS? “I stepped into this work because it rose naturally from my upbringing and moʻokūʻauhau. I come from a line of educators who planted in me the values that shape my path and showed, through their own hands and hearts, the true meaning of kahiau. My aloha for Hawaiʻi, our culture, and our Hawaiian keiki is the force that carried me into the classroom and continues to guide my way.” Tell us about a time you saw your haumāna use what they’ve learned to make a difference. What did that mean to you?  “He keiki aloha na mea kanu. Beloved children are the plants. I will always remember when haumāna demonstrate the lessons of showing aloha and being pono. For example, comforting a keiki who’s having a hard time or choosing kind words without being asked and hearing ʻohana say they see those same behaviors at home means so much — a reminder that learning continues far beyond our classroom. Watching their pilina with each other, kumu, ʻāina, and their own identities has been the greatest gift. And because preschool kumu rarely see the full journey, hearing about former haumāna thriving years later touches my heart. It shows that the small seeds we plant truly grow.” #Kumu #EOla #KumuAppreciation #imuakamehameha #Preschools

Hauʻoli Poʻakahi! ☀️ Happy Monday! Nothing brightens a Monday like hearing our Kamehameha Schools Preschool haumāna proudly sharing a mele they learned at kula. 🎶✨ Way to go, e nā keiki! I mua! 🌿🤙🏽 #KamehamehaPreschools #EOla #Hamakua #Mele #IMua #OiwiLeaders

🌿✨ Lei ʻia ke aloha. Love is worn as a lei. Before the end of the school year, the Kamehameha Preschools Waiʻanae Region ʻOhana Hui gathered for a special event where ʻohana made beautiful lei for their graduates. Many mākua found their thoughts drifting to how much their keiki have developed since the first day of preschool. Each keiki has grown so much in ability, confidence, ʻike and character. These are precious moments of reflection. Mahalo to everyone who came together to create lei that wrapped our graduates in abundant aloha on their special day. 💚🌿✨ #KamehamehaPreschools #EOla #Lei #Graduation #Aloha

Meet Lehua Rowland-Sugse, KS Preschools Kailua-Kona (center with her Teacher Assistants) What inspired you to become a kumu at KS? What inspired me to become a kumu at KS was my desire to work with Hawaiian keiki in my community of Waiʻanae. In my heart, I knew that uplifting our keiki through education was one way to strengthen and empower our community. I believed that if I could help educate ʻohana about the importance of early childhood education, it could create opportunities to overcome the stereotypes and stigma often faced growing up in Waiʻanae. I wanted people to understand that 85% of brain development happens during the early years of life, making those first years so important. My parents always hoped that one of their six children would attend KS and had each of us tested when we were eligible. It saddened me that their dream did not come to fruition, so I made it my goal to work for KS. I pursued Early Childhood Education straight out of high school at Leeward Community College.