A child sands a wooden picnic table outdoors while an adult, possibly a Director, looks on. They are under a canopy with grass and trees in the background. Both wear casual clothes. The Alakai O Kauai Charter School logo is on the left, alongside Paul's Message.
31 Oct

Director Paul’s Message

Weekly Walaʻau: Ka Piko o ka Wala’au (The Core Conversation)

Aloha mai kākou! Welcome to our weekly update, focusing on the strong foundation we are building in our facilities, student support systems, and community culture as we continue the second quarter of the school year. Every step we take reinforces our commitment to Pono (integrity) and Kuleana (responsibility) for all learners and staff.

Colorful hand-drawn poster for Alakai O Kauai Mission featuring a pink owl, floral accents, and text with the Directors message highlighting academics, project-based learning, social-emotional growth, and Hawaiian culture.

🏗️ Facilities & Campus Stewardship

New Classroom Building Progress: Our campus is being upgraded, demonstrating our commitment to providing safe and flexible learning spaces. We are excited to report that the construction of our new two-classroom building is proceeding smoothly! The foundation is in its last stages of work, and the rest of the building will begin to take shape in the coming weeks. These new spaces are designed to support advanced Project-Based Learning (PBL) and will house our Ike Hawai’i and Art Classrooms.

A construction site with a sloped area prepared for a concrete pour. Wooden frames and steel reinforcements cover the ground, overseen by the Director, with visible holes and surrounded by soil, trees, and orange safety fencing.

🧠 SEL & Behavior Support Framework

A Focus on Accountability and Integrity (Pono): Our primary focus is teaching learners the skills they need to navigate complex social and emotional situations. We are formalizing our behavior framework to be instructive rather than purely reactive. All staff have started to utilize our new K-8 Behavior Support Process, designed to teach learners Accountability Statements when they make a mistake. We are working to ensure that when a student is corrected, they learn to accept responsibility (“I hear you. I will fix that.”) instead of shifting blame. These efforts align directly with Mental & Emotional Well-being.
🎨 PBL in Action: From Idea to Implementation

The improvement project to resurface the picnic tables, initiated by learners and support staff, is a perfect example of PBL in Action and demonstrates how we foster responsibility, collaboration, and problem-solving. This project moves beyond simple maintenance and becomes a real-world learning experience where learners are responsible for:

  • Problem Identification: They identified that the current tables were not hygienic and hard to clean and they also wanted to be mindful of keeping the tables free of unwanted markings.
  • Solution Proposing: They discussed durable, food-friendly resurfacing materials and proposed a low-budget solution to the administration.
  • Execution: The discussion led the administration and facilities specialists to manage the work schedule, materials, and quality control. Staff even included some learners in the work itself to teach them the value of keeping our tables clean and inviting.This authentic work directly connects to our PBL philosophy by giving learners Kuleana over their learning environment and acknowledging them as important members of our school team.A young person uses a power sander on a wooden picnic table outdoors while an adult stands nearby, like a director guiding the scene. The setting is a grassy area with trees and a fence in the background.
    🧡 Community Care (Pillar 3)

    We have a tremendous show of unity and culture-building during our morning piko every day. This daily event reinforces Community & Social Care. Learners participate in the recital of E Ho Mai, a culture and team-building activity that allows us all to find a common voice in a choral recital of the oli. These skills are the foundation of a supportive and empathetic school culture, ensuring all members of our school feel a sense of Aloha.

    A decorative poster with tropical leaves and flowers displays the word ALOHA vertically, each letter reflecting Director Paul's Message: Kindness, Unity, Agreeable, Humility, and Patience—with explanations for each core value.

    Mahalo nui loa for your continued support as we prepare for a successful and mission-aligned school year!

    Mahalo Nui,
    The Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Admin Team