Pūpūkahi i holomua.

Literal translation: Unite to move forward.

Context: By working together, we make progress. Think of the old days when canoes were the only form of interisland transportation. In order to get anywhere, paddlers had to work together to get their strokes in unison or the canoe wouldn’t move very far. One person had the kuleana of calling out the strokes and switches and setting the pace; the rest had to follow his lead.

In our situation, the person setting the pace is your child. As parents and kumu, we respond to your child with support “strokes” with the intent of guiding him or her forward in development. When family and school staff are on the same page and working in unison for the betterment of your child, guess what? Your child’s development advances farther faster. Just like a canoe.