Recently hired Executive Director of the Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation, Keawe Liu visited our kula today. Along with Mr. Liu was Mr. Kiha Kinney, KS Class of 1951 and current president of the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association – East Hawaiʻi.
Our guests were greeted by Hope Poʻokumu, Ms. Liana Iaea Honda who escorted them to the 5th grade pod area. There, ʻAha ʻŌpio president, Kyra Gomes and secretary Kayla Enanoria greeted Mr. Liu & Kinney with lei.
Kyra & Kayla shared their manaʻo about our Pennies for Pauahi campaign – our kindergarten through 5th grade community service project that benefits the Ke Aliʻi Pauahi Foundation. Mr. Liu was very impressed and moved with what Kyra and Kayla said. “I have been doing this since I was in kindergarten”, noted Kyra. “We try to encourage our classmates to bring in any donation, no matter what it is. If you bring in just a penny, that will help add up to lots of donations”. Kayla also related, “we do this to help other children in our community attend preschool – it makes us feel good”.
Mr. Liu was very thankful and impressed and asked the girls if he could pack them up in a suitcase and have them share what they just said with other KS schools! Needless to say, Kyra and Kayla were excited about that.
Aunty Jodie Kimura, who is our Outreach Program and Alumni Relations Coordinator was also present and asked Kyra and Kayla if they wouldn’t mind speaking to the high school students about Pennies for Pauahi – both replied a resounding, “yes!”
Pennies for Pauahi kick off is on Monday, Nov. 26th and will run till Fri. Dec. 7th a flier with more information is forthcoming. We are hoping that Uncle Keawe will be able to join us then!
L-R: Keawe Liu of KAPF, Kayla, Kyra & Uncle Kiha