Mililani Middle School 8th graders learn through service June 29, 2012

On June 13, 18 and 20, over 150 eighth graders from Mililani Middle School put schoolwork aside and spent time serving the families and keiki of Ka Pa‘alana at HOPE Shelter and Pai‘olu Kaiāulu Shelter as part of their service learning.

Each year, the 8th graders from Mililani Middle School hold a walk-a-thon to raise funds for worthy causes. The annual walk, which started out as a community service project to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, has become a movement of sorts, spurring students to examine the problems facing the community around them and find ways to better the lives of others.

Since 2009, the students have chosen homelessness as a prevalent problem facing Hawai‘i’s families, and Ka Pa‘alana as a recipient for part of the funds raised during the annual walk. As part of their service learning, the students spent time at two shelters, helping each with different projects and spending time with the preschoolers. Some of the shelter residents also took time to share their testimonies with the students.

Mahalo to the administration, staff, and students of Mililani Middle School for sharing their aloha with our families, keiki, and staff.