KILAUEA — Namahana School, a new public charter middle and high school coming up in Kilauea, hosted about 200 people from the community on Sunday at the Porter Pavilion in Anaina Hou Community Park.
The event marked the latest community gathering for the school dating back to an engagement process that started in 2019.
The school purchased a permanent site in Kilauea last year, and is currently is in the initial phase of its campus development.
“It is clear that the community and donors across the North Shore are mobilizing with incredible momentum as we prepare to open in the fall of 2025,” said Bridget Thorpe of Namahana School in an email. “For many of the families in attendance, the project has been years in the making, and the event’s atmosphere was one of joyful anticipation and readiness to support.”
The meeting in 2019 solidified the public charter school’s mission, vision and values.
Dr. Kapua Chandler, the Namahana School leader, was joined by members of the school’s leadership team to share updates on the campus construction for the school, which is planning to welcome its first cohort of students in grades 7 and 8 in the fall of 2025. The school plans on adding an additional grade each year thereafter until reaching its full capacity with grade 12.
“Standing before you once again, I’m reminded of how much this is truly a school by and for the community of Kaua‘i’s North Shore,” Chandler said.
“These public gatherings bring together all the faces and families whose hopes we are working so hard to fulfill. You have been with us every step of the way. Your voices have shaped our mission, vision, and values, and you continue to inspire us as we enter this critical final stretch before opening next fall.”
The team also discussed enrollment timelines, available jobs at the school and a grassroots community-driven fundraising campaign.
“There are more opportunities than ever to be a part of Namahana,” Chandler said. “We need passionate faculty and staff, enthusiastic volunteers, steadfast community partners, and generous donors by our side in order to open our doors next fall.”
The campaign’s short-term fundraising has a goal of raising $1.5 million by August and is determined by manufacturing timelines to kick-start the school’s campus construction process. It is also part of a broader campaign to fully build out the middle school.
“We need you to share out story more than ever,” said Namahana Education Foundation Executive Director Melanie Parker. “This is about inspiring others with our vision and working collectively as a community towards a common goal. Each and every gift represents a personal vote of confidence in Namahana School, our shared values, and our highest aspirations for future generations.”
Namahana will host another community-wide event on Aug. 4 at its 11.3-acre property in Kilauea where parents and students will be invited to declare their intent to enroll and officially start the one-year countdown to the school’s opening.
For more information about Namahana School, visit at www.namahanafoundation.org.
