North Shore NewsMy life has been a series of incredible events that seem to lead me from one place to another, but never in my life would I have thought to be the head of a school. By trade, I am a music teacher, business owner, and ministry leader. Years of experience in these fields would converge when I was tasked to become the next Principal of Saint Michael School, a position I very much hesitantly accepted. But after a year of taking on the reigns as the school’s lead administrator, I can see how these life experiences prepared me to transform a school on the brink of
closure into one with a very bright, sustainable future.
As a private parochial school, St. Michael School is deeply rooted in its Christian heritage and faith. Our community is blessed with great public schools, so more than anything else, our faith-based education is truly what separates us from other surrounding schools. Our faith is not just taught in a religion class, but it is a lived-experience built upon a solid value system. There were very little incidents of bullying on campus. New students often feel welcome as soon as they step into the classroom. The school engaged in numerous service projects benefiting the Principal Kainoa Fukumoto with Students of the Quarter at St. Michael School. greater community. The spirit of aloha is very much alive and thriving on campus, exemplifying a part of our philosophy to not just educate the mind, but the heart as well.
I take pride in the fact that our academic standards remain high and challenging, but I am most proud that, although we are a very small school, our students have the potential to make a huge, positive impact in our community and in this world, and we will continue to help set their hearts in the right direction.
St. Michael School is a Catholic school in Waialua with students in Preschool through Grade 8. For more information about St. Michael School, visit their website at www.stmichaelschoolhi.com.