Faculty & Staff Retreat Launches a New School Year
August 3, 2026
Our faculty and staff began the new school year with a meaningful day of learning, connection, and cultural practice during our annual retreat. Coordinated by Kumu Kipapa, this year's off-campus experience brought our entire school community to the beautiful Punahoa Forestry Reserve, an emerging educational center dedicated to supporting schools interested in forestry and environmental stewardship.
Punahoa is also home to important conservation efforts, including the cultivation of rodent-resistant ʻōhiʻa, helping to preserve one of Hawaiʻi's most iconic native trees for future generations. Hosted by the Pua Foundation, our faculty and staff had the opportunity to learn firsthand about native ecosystems while actively participating in the restoration of the reserve by planting native trees and plants.
One of the highlights of the day was the planting of the native ʻaʻaliʻi plant in honor of our graduating Class of 2027, whose class symbol is the resilient ʻaʻaliʻi. Known for its ability to thrive in challenging environments, the ʻaʻaliʻi serves as a powerful reminder of perseverance, adaptability, and strength—qualities we hope to continue nurturing in our students throughout the year. We highlight Mrs. Arianoff, parent of a graduating senior.
Our group also visited the historic Olaʻa Springs, a pristine freshwater spring that supplies water to the Hilo community. Standing in this special place offered an opportunity to reflect on the vital relationship between our natural resources, our communities, and our kuleana to care for them.
The retreat concluded with a moving pikai ceremony, during which faculty and staff were blessed with the fresh waters flowing from our sacred Maunakea. This cultural practice provided a meaningful beginning to the school year, grounding us in purpose and renewing our commitment to serving our students with humility, unity, and aloha.
This year's school theme, "ʻAʻole pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokahi" ("All knowledge is not taught in the same school"), reminds us that learning extends far beyond the classroom. As we embark on this new academic year, our objective is to create meaningful opportunities for students to collaborate with community experts, helping them discover new interests and explore future career and educational pathways.
Our experience at Punahoa Forestry Reserve is a wonderful example of the community partnerships we are cultivating. Through collaborations with organizations like the Pua Foundation and the forestry professionals at Punahoa, our students will have access to authentic, place-based learning experiences that connect classroom instruction with real-world knowledge and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
We extend our heartfelt mahalo to Kumu Kipapa, the Pua Foundation, and the Punahoa Forestry Reserve for providing such a memorable and inspiring start to our school year. Together, we look forward to a year of growth, collaboration, and learning beyond the walls of our hālau.
Go Cardinals!