_Echo of Our Song May 2020

"Despite this
unprecedented
challenge, I have
seen a spirit of
collective resolve
that fills me with
pride and awe.
We have all
become the
protagonists of
this epic story."
Dr. Taran Chun
KS Kapālama Poʻo Kula

A M E S S A G E F R O M Y O U R
Aloha mai e nā ʻohana, nā kumu, nā limahana a me nā hoaloha o Kapālama nei,
At the beginning of this school year, no one could have foreseen the wild journey Ke Akua had
planned for us. We started in the fall with the same hopes and dreams that make each year
exciting with kumu eager to turn those aspirations into
Po'o Kula
realities.
We hit our full stride early on with an impressive display of amazing accomplishments and
courageous innovation. Our haumāna at all grade levels showcased E Ola! in action and
demonstrated the wonder and inherent kuleana of a Kamehameha Schools education.
And then the world had a gut check.
Classrooms were emptied, campus was closed, and learning resumed online, all for the sake of
keeping our ʻohana safe. And while it would be easy to consider that as the unfortunate end of
this saga, the true climax can be found in what came next. Our kumu adapted, our parents took
on different roles and our keiki learned the value of resilience. Despite this unprecedented
challenge, I have seen a spirit of collective resolve that fills me with pride and awe. We have all
become the protagonists of this epic story.
To our seniors, you will forever hold a place in history as the class that could not be dragged
down, not even by a global pandemic. Our aloha goes out to you and your ʻohana and we look
forward to celebrating you as no class has ever been celebrated before.
So as we come to this unorthodox conclusion of the school year, I want to take the opportunity
to say hoʻomaikaʻi and mahalo. Congratulations on adapting and overcoming the current
challenge, and thank you for proving what our kūpuna knew all along- that our people will
hoʻomau a holomua.
I mua e nā koa. I mua, Kamehameha!
Dr. Taran Chun, Poʻo Kula

Haumāna will become local
and global servant leaders
who are culturally engaged
and play significant roles in
creating strong ʻohana and
communities throughout ka
pae ʻāina o Hawaiʻi and
beyond.

Dear Class of 2020,
T h e f o l l o w i n g i s a l e t t e r a d d r e s s e d t o o u r g r a d u a t i n g s e n i o r s s e t t o b e p u b l i s h e d
i n t h e H o n o l u l u S t a r - A d v e r t i s e r o n F r i d a y , M a y 2 2
ʻAʻohe mea nana, e hoʻopuhili, he moho no ka lā makani.
There is no one to interfere, for he is a messenger of a windy day.
Said in admiration of a person who lets nothing stop him from
carrying out the task instructed to him.
ʻŌlelo Noʻeau 189
This year has been anything but ordinary. While it is so difficult to know that this part of your
journey is coming to a close, I know that you will be starting the next part of your journey and
will take with you the lessons of all that you have learned here at Kamehameha Schools. I know
that I speak for myself and all of our staff, we are grateful to have known you.
As someone who has spent a large part of my adult life away from Hawaiʻi, I remain humbled
and grateful for the opportunity to come home and serve. I am grateful that Iʻve been able to
learn from so many of you this year. Your accomplishments, your drive and your perseverence
will stay with me. My family has had the privilege of watching you at rehearsals, student
events, performances and the Band Trip and in every interaction, your talent and commitment
speak loudly as a tribute to your families and to the legacy of our Princess.
We will always be ready to support or advocate for you. I look forward to being able to
welcome you back to campus and hear about all that you have done to raise the lāhui as you
are the next generation of leaders. A fond farewell until we meet again.
Mālama pono,
Wendy Erskine

messages of aloha to our Seniors
Special
Memories
Kindergarten
of our boarding department send this humble, heartfelt message of hope and
Members
to our graduating senior boarders. Mahalo for allowing us to be a part of
aloha
your growing journey here at KS Kapālama. Imua!

Lindsey, Director of Student Support Services
Debbie
Ah You, KSK K-12 Student Life and Well-Being Coordinator
Kingsley
oh the places you'll go
Dr. Seuss, in his whimsical and imaginative writing Oh, the Places You’ll Go speaks of hopes,
dreams, and a desire to achieve new things and soar to great heights. As you embark on this
new journey before you, imagine all the places you’ll go. Remember,
Reach for the Moon;
Even if you miss,
You’ll land among the Stars!
Norman Vincent Peale
I mua, Class of 2020!
you'll be on your way up!
you'll be seeing great sights!
you'll join the high fliers who
soar to high heights.
you're off to great places!
today is your day!
your mountain is waiting.
so...get on your way!
"For i know the plans I have for
you," declares the lord, "plans to
prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a
future."
jeremiah 29:11
-Dr. Seuss
Being a senior in the Class of 2020 has been a ride no one in the world could have
anticipated. Though your “rites of passage” have been challenged, here you sit poised
to make decisions about your future, in a world that has never seemed more
uncertain. Together your faith, your values, and the people who support you will
make you even stronger. Our hope is that you will be able to face each challenge
which brings with it new options and opportunities. Believe in yourself and know
that the best is yet to come!
Student support services kumu & staff

toward the future. Our world has changed because of this
Look
experience and all options are on the table. Use your
global
and the skills that belong to only your generation to
creativity
what you want to do and how you want to do it.
create
a scrapbook or photo/video journal of how much life has
Make
right now. This will never happen again, we all hope.
changed
about what you are missing, and what you have been doing
Write
the days as they pass.
during
7 s e l f - c a r e t i p s f o r t h e 2 0 2 0 g r a d u a t e
Talk to your fellow seniors.
Hang out online more, not less.
Ask for space if you need it.
Express it — write, draw, paint, create music, rap, dance, run.
Celebrate your achievements.

"THANK YOU FOR PROVING WHAT OUR
KŪPUNA KNEW ALL ALONG--
THAT OUR PEOPLE WILL
HO'OMAU A HOLOMUA."
Dr. Taran Chun, KS Kapālama Poʻo Kula