Kama‘ehu Students Strive for Academic Excellence February 14, 2011

The staff and student participants of Kama‘ehu have been learning about the Hawaiian values of Aloha, Lōkahi, Mālama, Po‘okela, and Pono. Although these values are sometimes difficult to define, the students of Kama‘ehu have consistently shown that they are able to not only define these values but live them out in such a way that they are shining examples for others to follow.

During the first quarter of the 2010/2011 school year, 12 students from Kama‘ehu received outstanding report cards. The elementary school students excelled with report cards having only ME’s (Meets with Excellence) and MP’s (Meets with Proficiency) and the middle and high school students having GPA’s of 3.0 or better. These students were rewarded with an excursion to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), which included entrance to the features, a buffet dinner, and admission to “Hā—Breath of Life.” Many of these students had never been to PCC or been exposed to the many cultures featured at the center. The attendees were Dominic L., Kanoa S., Fauntania F., Orli T., Keaulana T., Tracy C., Tashawna W., Pono S., Lexi T., Diane S., and Paul F.

Kama‘ehu staff and parents received another surprise on January 14, 2011 as Keaulana Timbreza-Dano, a 5th grader, received two awards during a school assembly held at Lehua Elementary School. The first award was the Lehua Outstanding Leader Award, which is given to students who have participated in student council and portrayed themselves as outstanding leaders. The second award was for winning the Energy Conservation School Outreach Program 2010 calendar contest sponsored by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Energy Program and Navy Region Hawai‘i.

Just when Kama‘ehu staff and parents thought that the elevator ride was over, it was report card time again on January 19, 2011. This time 15 of Kama‘ehu’s students did amazingly well,bringing home report cards with ME’s and MP’s and the middle and high school students bringing home GPA’s of 3.0 or better. In celebration of their academic achievement they were treated to a day at Sea Life Park Hawai‘i for a cultural/educational field trip. The attendees to this event were Loeka F., Dominic L., Abbielynn L., Jatery J., Karita L., Keaulana T., Tracy C., Lillian L., Fauntania F., Naaliyah T., Paul F., Diane S., and Paul F.

Then on January 20, 2011, Karita L., a 4th grade student at Barbers Point Elementary School, walked in with a “Certificate of Achievement” award for excelling in all subjects from the beginning of school.

Despite all the challenges they face on a daily basis, the students of Kama‘ehu have persevered and truly embraced the value of Po‘okela.