Kailua International School celebrates the aloha spirit of kindness, sharing, forgiveness, respect, love, and gratitude (KSFRLG, as they are known at Kailua). Each happy learning experience during the school day is guided and inspired by KSFRLG. The aloha spirit values education and is part of all learning areas.
March’s two-hour graduation ceremony also showcased this spirit. The first part of the event had all homeroom classes performing songs and dances to welcome, congratulate, and send off the graduates. As a tradition, the graduating class presented a short play, “The Menehune Ditch,” a legend about a watercourse irrigation system in Hawaii that was built with the aloha spirit of friendship, cooperation, and love.
The graduates marched in to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance,” as their proud parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends enthusiastically applauded them. Five graduates from the school years 2011, 2012, and 2013 delivered speeches, encouraging the class of 2014 to gain more friends via the aloha spirit in their new schools. Graceful hula dancers from the Halau ’o Kealarosela (a school that teaches hula to all Kailua children) added to the liveliness of the day. Guest speakers were Mr. Hiroshi Koishi, a councilman from Funabashi City, and Mr. Harunobu Nagano, the principal of Tachibana Pre-School in Tsudanuma, Chiba.
Kailua teachers and staff sang the final song of the day — “Kotobani Dekinai: It’s time to say goodbye, remember us in your hearts.” With that song, the ceremony ended and graduation 2014 became an indelible part of the Kailua chest of great memories. Mahalo and aloha! — ROBERT GOMEZ
