Learners with their crafts

Director DJ’s Message

Aloha mai kakou to the learning community of Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School, and I hope this message finds you all in good health and happiness as we sail into the month of December.

Mahalo for your support of our unique charter school, especially given all the extra programs, field trips, educational enrichments, and FUN events that we embrace at Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School.

We are enjoying the transition over to the festive month of December and appreciate your assistance with all the extra excitement on campus this month. It is GREAT to see the robust response to our annual Holiday Hamper program and witness the happy participants in the annual “Lights On Rice” parade. A happy reminder that the Grade Five Presentation of Learning of the Christmas Craft Fair will be this upcoming Friday, December 13th, in the gymnasium along with the Na Hoa O Alaka’i Parent Teacher Network Hot Lunch Day. This week’s photos give a sneak peek at some of the creative crafts that our students have made for the event.

In this season of giving, please accept my gratitude for the gift of you. For the last five years, it has been my great privilege and honor to serve as your Po’okumu at Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School, and your unconditional support of our unique charter school is deeply appreciated. As many of you may recall, it was my intention to retire last year to spend time with my first mo’opuna. Despite great efforts by our Board of Directors, we did not secure a new leader for our school, and it is my great pleasure to continue as Po’okumu again in 2024-2025. The Board of Directors has already commenced the search to have a new Po’okumu in place for 2025-2026, and here is a message outlining the process.

Aloha Parents, Students, and Staff in the Alaka’i Community,

We understand that with DJ’s expected departure at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, there may be some concern and anxiety. We agree that he is incredible and impossible to replace. Our standards are set very high because of him and we don’t plan on anything less. The governing board of Alaka’i has been actively reviewing candidates for the last few months, and we plan to hold in-person interviews in early 2025. Our hope is that we will be able to introduce the next Director by the end of March 2025. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Bob Wu, the governing chair at bob.wu.board@alakaiokauai.org.

Mahalo for your time and patience with our process,

Alaka’i Board of Directors

Best wishes for a wonderful Wednesday. Malama pono.

DJ Adams
Po’okumu (Director)
Alaka’i O Kaua’i Charter School
Koloa, Hawai’i