Here are a few ideas that have stayed with me since leaving the conference:

• KS could leverage to a far greater extent our distance learning capacity via ISC – this includes everything from greater integration between the three K-12 campuses, to development of a virtual campus (online degree program), offering an online speakers bureau, etc.

• This segues nicely into the idea of having a Speakers Bureau, possibly connected to Kaiwakiloumoku but also in collaboration with ISC (the online version).  KS should be a thought leader, not just in Hawaiian culture and history, but also in areas like indigenous education, faith and culture integration, or anything really.  We have incredible talent and knowledge among our staff, why wouldn’t we want to develop and package that in a way that can be used beyond Kamehameha?

• We need to start putting more emphasis in the hiring process in finding people who have a heart for our mission and can buy into the expectations of being part of KS, rather than in simply finding people who have the right skill sets.  Obviously, having the right skill set is important, but it’s not enough.  We need to make our values (Christian and Hawaiian) and expectations for support, participation and “Small L” leadership known to people before they sign on.

• What promises are we making to parents in our values vision and mission statements?  I keep thinking about the simplicity of Ranney School’s mission that every child will be “known and valued.”  What is KS promising to parents?  And how do we communicate that?

• KS should consider establishing “State of the School” webcasts, by Headmasters (for each campus) and by the CEO for the institution (alumni, general public).

• That same week of the conference I saw a Facebook post about a new kind of college called EARTH University.  I have not been able to stop thinking about it because it seems like a perfect “fit” for KS, given our focus on sustainability and aloha/malama `aina, as well as our considerable agricultural acreage.  It has the potential to combine everything we care about at KS – education, culture, economic sustainability – with faith, servant leadership and good stewardship naturally and easily incorporated into the mix – and a template already exists for the program.  Here is the url:  http://www.earth-usa.org/