The event was anchored by the wisdom of cultural practitioner Kumu Wilmont Kamaunu Kahaiali‘i, a lifelong educator with over 40 years of traditional knowledge. Currently serving as the Director of Hawaiian Studies and Culture at Maui Preparatory Academy, Kumu Kahaiali‘i is dedicated to e ho‘āla i ke aloha, e ho‘omau i ka ‘ike—awakening aloha while perpetuating ancestral knowledge through cultural stewardship and aloha ‘āina.

Working alongside Kumu Nalani Brovelli, Kumu Kainoa Lum, and Kumu Kehau Ka‘auwai, the team spent weeks preparing students from kindergarten through eighth grade. The word ho‘ike literally means "to report" or "to show," and every hula and mele (song) performed served as a demonstration of the values and customs that form the fabric of Hawai‘i. These educators did more than teach choreography; they instilled in the children a deep reverence for the land and the history of their Maui home.

The evening began with charming performances from the youngest learners in the Bright Beginnings Preschool. Following their debut, the eighth-grade class was called to the stage in a formal processional to present the school’s Ten Commitments to Living Aloha. These student leaders remained on stage throughout the evening, presiding over the festivities as each grade level performed in vibrant pā‘ū skirts. In a particularly moving collaboration, third and fifth graders joined Kumu Kahaiali‘i’s musical trio to provide ukulele accompaniment.

The atmosphere was heightened by the setting sun, which bathed the campus in a warm, golden glow. This transformation of the lower school quad into a professional performance stage was made possible by Mrs. Lindsay Elam and a dedicated group of volunteers who provided the lush greenery that adorned the space.

As the celebration drew to a close, Head of School Miguel Solis unveiled a preliminary model of a Pueo statue. Once cast in bronze, this representation of the school’s ‘aumakua (guardian) will be permanently installed along the sidewalk between the Otto Administration Building and the Bright Beginnings Preschool. For those who wish to revisit the magic of the evening, a full gallery of photos is available on the Resources page in the Nest, courtesy of Ciera Leavitt and Alexis Merrill.