From the Comms Desk
VOL.63 I NO.3 I 2025
I
N TODAY’S rapidly changing world, academic excellence alone is not enough. As a kinder- garten through 12 th -grade independent school, we have a responsibility to provide students with experiences showing how their knowledge and skills can make a meaningful difference in their communities. At ‘Iolani School, our commitment extends beyond preparing stu- dents for college or careers — it is about preparing them to live lives of purpose and impact. Rooted in our One Team ethos, we believe true success lies not only in personal achievement but in the ability to uplift others and improve the world around us. This compels us to ask, “How can we, as individuals and as a community, use our knowledge, resources, and networks to solve problems and support those in need?” The answer begins with creating educational opportunities that cultivate compassion, encourage innovation, and nurture a strong sense of kuleana, a responsibility to each other and the broader community. Through our external education programs,‘Iolani School has committed to using education as a tool for service and transformation. Initiatives like the ‘Āina Informatics Network, the KA‘I Program, and ‘Iolani Community Science model how collaboration between private institu- tions and public entities can create meaningful, real-world learning opportunities that move our state forward. These programs empower students to see themselves as contributors to their community, equipped with the tools and knowledge to make a meaningful impact for our state. Providing students with the opportunity to participate in projects directly impacting the world around them makes their learning personal and powerful. As you’ll read in the pages of this issue, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our students worked alongside public health officials and university researchers to help track and sequence the virus’ variants. This project expand- ed to include students from 14 schools statewide. Another example is stream clean-up work through Pa‘ēpa‘ē o Waikolu, which has resulted in an unprecedented return of native species to our streams. While these projects are remarkable, they represent just a glimpse of our stu- dents applying their learning to real-world challenges, contributing to the health, resilience, and the future of Hawai‘i. At its core, this work helps our students develop a mindset of servant leadership, a commit- ment to leading with empathy and humility, and a deep desire to give back. Our hope is that by exposing our students to authentic, purpose-driven experiences, they will carry these values forward into their lives and careers. Whether they go on to become doctors, artists, engineers, or entrepreneurs, we hope that they will always ask themselves, “How can I use what I know to help others?” At ‘Iolani, education is about more than personal achievement. It’s about cultivating leaders who are ready and willing to give back, leaders who carry the spirit of One Team wherever they go. To our ‘Iolani ‘ohana, thank you for being part of something greater. Mahalo for your partner- ship in shaping leaders who serve with heart, lead with purpose, and use their knowledge to meet the needs of their communities with courage and compassion.
‘IOLANI COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Michelle Hee ’10 I mhee@iolani.org DIRECTOR OF VISUAL DESIGN Clifford Cheng I ccheng@iolani.org DIRECTOR OF MULTIMEDIA DESIGN Juju Ranches I jranches@iolani.org DIRECTOR OF INTERACTIVE MEDIA John Tamanaha ’87 I tamanaha@iolani.org CONTENT CREATOR / DESIGNER Jason Karioka I jkarioka@iolani.org CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Karioka I John Tamanaha ’87 Taylor Wong ’08 I Eric Wehner COMMUNICATIONS INTERN Yumi Ricalde Harada ’26 HEAD OF SCHOOL Timothy R. Cottrell, Ph.D. I tcottrell@iolani.org BOARD OF GOVERNORS Mark M. Mugiishi, M.D., F.A.C.S. ’77 I CHAIR Russell Yamamoto ’69 I VICE-CHAIR Takeshi Saeki ’82 I TREASURER Mark Yamakawa ’74 I SECRETARY Timothy R. Cottrell, Ph.D. I HEAD OF SCHOOL John C. Dean Jr.
Matthew K.M. Emerson ’95 Melvin Kaneshige Esq. ’66 Bryan K.K. Li ’96 Whitney Limm M.D., F.A.C.S. ’76
Eun Joo “EJ” Milken ’91 Calvin S. Oishi, M.D. ’79 Raymond S. Ono ’72 Jill A. Otake ’91 Jonathan K. Poe ’78 Michele Saito Lisa Sakamoto Kent Tsukamoto Robert “Bub” W. Wo
Emelda Wong Trainor ’95 Reuben S.F. Wong, Esq. ’54 Jodi Shin Yamamoto, Esq. ’89
The Right Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick I EX OFFICIO Susan Mukai ’06 I ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVE
With regards,
Postmaster, send addres s changes to: ‘Iolani Bulletin ‘Iolani School I 563 Kamoku Street Honolulu, HI 96826 Email: info@iolani.org I iolani.org
Michelle Hee ’10 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Clifford Cheng DIRECTOR OF VISUAL DESIGN
Member, National Association of Independent Schools At ‘Iolani School, no child will be descriminated against because of race, color, creed, national origin, or disability. The ‘Iolani School Bulletin is published three times each year, by ‘Iolani School and distributed free of charge to alumni, current or former parents and grandparents, and friends of the school. Non-profit flat rate postage paid at Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
ON THE COVER I Fourth Graders at Ma _
noa Stream PHOTOGRAPH I Jason Karioka
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator