As the North Shore Kaua’i community continues to rebuild and heal after Hurricane Lowell, Namahana School is picking up momentum on its campus buildout and announces major developments on its permanent campus construction effort. Driven by an exceptional Kaua‘i-based AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) team assembled earlier this year, Kīlauea-based Noho Workshop is laying the groundwork for a locally-inspired design, permits have been submitted and planning is now underway for a December groundbreaking at the school’s 11.3-acre site across from the Kīlauea Post Office.

Hurricane Lowell was concrete evidence of the resiliency of Namahana’s school model—if you missed it, check out our Instagram story here. It gave us an authentic opportunity to lean into our mission of cultivating resilient leaders while giving back to our community. Alongside routine academics, students actively worked on several relief initiatives:

Tracking Progress | Beyond resiliency, last month we shared new research-backed curricular programs introduced across core subjects—including CommonLit360, OpenSciEd, iCivics, and Singapore Math. Separately, those interested in our students’ daily schedule can see it here.

Students Branch Out | In only the second week of school, all 8th and 9th graders were off-campus exploring real-world civic and environmental issues with partner organizations from Princeville to Kekaha. It was an exciting way to model to our 7th graders how Namahana students are active and engaged citizens.

Staff Continues to Grow | To support our growing student body, we also welcomed key new team members this year: another 7th grade kumu, 2 diverse learning kumu, 2 educational assistants, and an additional student support coordinator. See the entire team here. 

The community came together in full force to support Namahana School’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Lowell. From tree clean-up, to generator and supply donations, to messages sharing meaningful resources and kind words—it was humbling. Just a year ago we opened our doors. Post-Lowell, it was evident how deeply woven Namahana has already become in the community.

Hurricane Lowell was an opportunity to see our fully local construction team do what we envisioned: solve problems on the ground by leveraging historical roots and resources to keep momentum moving.

We were thrilled to receive the yearbooks from year one at Namahana School. They turned out great, and the students, kumu, staff and parents were thrilled to flip through them for the first time!

Mahalo to Ysanel and Yuna for their hard work and dedication. It will forever be a beautiful archive of Namahana’s very first year.

Namahana Education Foundation (NEF) serves as an independent nonprofit organization that manages the fundraising and construction process for the school campus, as well as generates ongoing community support to cover the operational costs not met by the state’s per-student allocation. This month we’re proud to welcome Malia Manuel to the Board and the Capital Campaign Steering Committee. 

The Atherton Family Foundation has awarded $80,000 to Namahana Education Foundation. We are grateful for these funds, which have been earmarked to support building classrooms.  

Namahana School has been chosen to be featured on the new weekly Homeroom Hawaiʻi segment on Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Homeroom Hawaiʻi is the “story of a school year — in real time,” as people from across the educational spectrum in Hawaiʻi (students, teachers, staff, and more) submit weekly self-recorded “audio journals.” 

Aʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia. No task is too big when done together.

Congratulations on finishing our first school year—we did it!  I don’t say that lightly.  This year was full.  Full of firsts, full of growth, and full of moments that reminded us why we chose to be part of something like Namahana.  I will never forget it.  Not because it was perfect, it wasn't.  Rather, because we grew through every moment of it.  In all of that, something extraordinary took root.

Congrats to our 8th graders!

This month Kapua Chandler, School Leader, and Gordon Karau, Director of Planning and Capital Projects, travelled to San Francisco to attend and present at the NewSchools Venture Fund Summit in San Francisco. The annual summit gathered nearly 900 education leaders, social entrepreneurs, and philanthropists to reimagine K-12 learning. This year's energetic event focused on scaling innovative school models and expanding funding equity for minority-led education ventures. A major highlight was the ethical integration of artificial intelligence, exploring how AI can personalize learning for underserved students. Leaders also emphasized the critical need for student-centered designs that prioritize mental health alongside academic growth. Mahalo to NewSchools Venture Fund for all the ways they support Namahana—from funding to ongoing mentorship!

Here is a monthly check in on Namahana academics:

Here is a monthly check in on Namahana’s permanent campus construction progress:

Join us in welcoming Allison, Derek, and Kyle to our Governing Board. Click through to read their bios!

 As Namahana School continues to grow, we are pleased to announce we are currently hiring for a variety of new positions.

We are currently accepting applications for:

• Kumu (Teacher)

• Educational Assistant

• Diverse Learner Kumu

• Substitute Kumu

• Health Steward

• Student Support Coordinator

Congratulations to the Girls Volleyball team for winning their first match of the year. The team traveled to Alakai ʻo Kauaʻi to play their middle school team and won three sets to zero. Well done!

Mahalo nui to Paula Fuga and Anaina Hou for welcoming Namahana’s band to open for Paula’s show. Mahalo also to Uncle Taylor for helping the students prepare! Their performance of Paula Fuga’s song “Just a Little Bit” was a meaningful experience for the kids and their families. What a show, we are so grateful!

For the second straight year, Namahana School has received national funding from NewSchools Venture Fund (NSVF). Founded by Kim Smith, Brook Byers, and John Doerr (Kleiner Perkins, early venture capitalist for Amazon and Google), NSVF is a venture philanthropy that invests in the ideas and energy of education leaders and entrepreneurs who are advancing innovative solutions that expand the definition of what works.