TEACHING STAFF:
'Ilima 'Apana currently holds the position of Kumu Alaka'i for Kawaikini's Kindergarten pae. She was born and raised in Wailua, Kaua'i and later moved to Anahola and graduated from Kapa'a High School in 2001. Upon graduation, she enrolled in the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and earned a B.A in Hawaiian Studies with an emphasis in Hawaiian Language. In 2005. Kumu 'Ilima continued her education at UH Hilo in the Kahuawaiola Hawaiian Medium Teacher Education Program and received her Teaching Certification. She completed her student teaching and taught for a year at Ka 'Umeke Ka'eo Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School in Keaukaha, Hawai'i. Kumu 'Ilima is very proud to return to Kaua'i and be able to give back to her 'aina hanau through teaching our keiki and perpetuating the language and culture of our kupuna.
Namomi McCorriston currently works as a Kumu Alaka'i for Kawaikini's 1-2 pae. She has taught preschool at Punana Leo o Kaua'i as well as grades K-1 at the Kaiapuni elementary school level. Kumu Namomi holds a BA degree in Hawaiian Studies from Brigham Young University Hawai'i, where she also served as the President of the Hawaiian Club. She is a dedicated educator with a passion for teaching Hawaiian culture and language.
Kawai'olu Torio holds an associate degree in specialized business and became interested in teaching while volunteering at her brother's summer camp for children with Down Syndrome or other special needs. Kumu Kawai'olu was introduced to 'olelo Hawai'i by her mother-in-law, and began Hawaiian language classes upon her daughter's entrance in to the Kula Kaiapuni program. She was then immersed with the students in Kumu Puanani Wilhelm's class as a part-time teacher. Kawai'olu has been working with Hawaiian Immersion for 15 years. She has taught grades Papa Mala'ao through six at Kapa 'a Elementary School in both Immersion instruction and in English, as a part-time teacher, substitute teacher, reading, and math tutor, direct instruction reading teacher, and summer school reading teacher. She currently serves as a kumu kokua in the 1-2 pae. Kawai'olu is a mother to two children who completed grades mala 'ao- seven in the immersion program. She enjoys scrapbooking and fitness classes.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF:
Samuel K. Ka'auwai holds a B.A in Business Administration, Management and Accounting from The College of Idaho and Professional Diploma in Elementary Education from University of Hawai'i Manoa as well as a Master of Arts (Major: Teaching, Specialization: Reading) degree. He has taught Hawaiian Language immersion education for over 12 years and currently serves as a Kumu Alaka'i for grades 5-6 at Kawaikini. Kumu Ka'auwai is a member of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association as well as the National Education Association. He has been the Church Choir Director at his church for over 25 years and is a board member of the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association.
Malia 'Alohilani Rogers has taught in the field of Hawaiian language education for over 14 years, where she has taught at the elementary, middle school, adult education and community college level. She has helped develop and translate materials used in the Hawaiian language education program. Kumu 'Alohilani has a BA in Hawaiian Language from the University of Hawai'i and certification in elementary education. She is also on the Board of Directors of 'Aha Punana Leo. Her goal is to see the revitalization of the Hawaiian Language and culture here in Hawai'i through the education of our kamali'i, with a specific emphasis on Kaua'i. She enjoys spending time with her 'ohana and reading, especially stories and articles from old Hawaiian Language newspapers and books. She currently works as Kawaikini's Resource Teacher.
Kaulana Smith, M.Ed., (Student Services Coordinator) comes to Kawaikini from Kapa'a High School, where she served as a Special Education Teacher and worked with students with disabilities for 10 years. Kaulana earned a B.A. in English from the University of Hawai`i, Manoa, and a Masters in Special Education from Chaminade University of Honolulu. Kaulana is trained in various reading, writing, and behavioral strategies and she is a proponent of self-determination for students with disabilities. At Kapa`a High, Kaulana initiated SPED programs in technology integration, project-base learning, the Readiness Employability Program, and partnered with Hawai`i Networked Learning Communities (HNLC). Kaulana helped in the start-up of Ka Loko I`a, a Fisheries and Hatchery Facility, as well as other Workplace Readiness Projects. In keeping with the Vision and Beliefs of Kawaikini, Kaulana continues to be the alaka`i of Hanai I Ka Ipu (HIKI) Kapa`a, a leadership and mentoring program through the Pacific American Foundation, and is the Girls Varsity Canoe Paddling Coach at Kapa`a High School. Kaulana joins Kawaikini with the love and support of her family (including 3 of 4 children who have been nurtured by Ke Kula Kaiapuni `O Kapa`a) and the spiritual guidance of na kupuna, na `aumakua a me ke akua.
Ke'ala Bristol joins Kawaikini as the school's Student Administrative Services Assistant (SASA). Ke'ala studied both Journalism and Public Relations at Hawai'i Pacific University in Honolulu. While earning her degree, Ke'ala worked as a childcare associate and as a Kumu for the county's Summer Enrichment Program, and most recently worked for a medical clinic in Kilauea. She is excited for the upcoming school year and is working hard to improve her Hawaiian language fluency.
