Fostering a passion for helping others is one of the hallmarks of a Punahou education. For generations, student volunteers have rolled up their sleeves to make meaningful contributions – whether volunteering at a food drive, tutoring at a local school or helping to care for our environment.
This March marked the next chapter in the School’s long legacy of service, as approximately 1,744 students in the Academy mobilized to bring Academy Service Day to life. “It was a culmination of hard work and commitment,” says Academy Principal Gustavo Carrera. “And it is a testament to the exceptional merit that we see in helping students understand what it means to give back to our community.”
When all was said and done, the Academy student volunteers collectively logged more than 10,000 hours of community service in one day.
The event was coordinated by Punahou’s Luke Center for Public Service with the support of many Academy faculty and staff. A total of 27 buses transported students to their assigned locations, where they worked with different community organizations to restore, clean and preserve local areas.
Each grade was assigned a distinct theme for their day of service, reflecting a core value. Ninth graders delved into kuana‘ike, or perspective; tenth graders embraced kuleana, the concept of responsibility; juniors centered around lawelawe, the spirit of service; and seniors explored mo‘ok‘auhau, the importance of genealogy.
On this page: Seniors contributed to conservation efforts at Kualoa Ranch, clearing overgrown trails and removing invasive plants.
Photo by Kathleen Connelly