Curricular and Co-curricular Experiences

Dance

Renowned choreographer Josephine Flanders founded Punahou’s Dance program in 1952 – establishing a bedrock of artistic expression which has produced countless acclaimed performances and rendered a distinguished roster of alumni who have danced their way on to Broadway and other prestigious stages around the world.

Beyond elevating the craft itself, Punahou Dance provides a valuable platform for students to embark on a journey of self-discovery, building confidence and resilience. A total of 478 students enrolled in the Dance School this fall, engaging in a variety of co-curricular classes, including ballet, pointe, jazz, musical theatre dance, tap, contemporary, and street dance.

Steeped in history, the Punahou Dance School continues to present its major “Production” performance every three years. In addition to this signature event, students are given the opportunity to grace the big stage at Dillingham Hall through its “Showcase” performances – a triumphant way to celebrate the end of each school year. Recent productions have included “Universal Dreams: A Magical Journey through the Elements” and “Generations of Inspiration.” In addition, the dance teams perform annually at Flaming “P”, adding another highlight to their dynamic roster of activities.

In recent years, the program has expanded competition opportunities beyond Punahou. In March 2024, a select group of ballet soloists competed at the Youth America Grand Prix in San Diego, California. Recently, the department introduced the Mini Dance Team (grades 3 – 6), which participated in the Spotlight Dance Cup competition in Honolulu, alongside Punahou’s Dance Team for older students.

One of the most exciting developments for the program unfolded in 2024 when dance was re-incorporated as part of P.E. credit in the Junior School – following a long pause that had been triggered by the pandemic. Now students in grades in K – 5 enjoy  in-school P.E. Dance as part of their curricular day. There are currently 14 faculty members within the Punahou Dance School.

Music

The curricular K – 12 Music Department and the co-curricular Music School align in vision to offer an incredible breadth and depth of music education and experiences.

The curricular Music Department is the most comprehensive K – 12 program in the state, engaging more than 2,000 Junior School students and over 550 Academy students weekly. The department fosters a lifelong love of music, while instilling valuable skills – independence, persistence, resilience and empathy.

From kindergarten through fourth grade, students take part in general music classes twice per cycle. The journey continues with ensemble music in fifth grade, where students can explore Band, Choir, Mele and Hula, Music Explorations, and Orchestra. In Case Middle School, music remains a significant part of the curriculum with three music classes each cycle. 

In the Academy, students can personalize their music journey. Academy students fulfill a minimum of two years of Visual and/or Performing Arts. The dynamic array of curricular music options include Band, Choir, Orchestra, Guitar, Hawaiian Music Ensemble, and Creative Music courses.

Punahou’s curricular K – 12 Music Department has 18 full-time faculty supporting students’ musical journeys.

The music does not stop at the end of the academic day. Punahou’s co-curricular Music School is the state’s largest community music school, offering a range of courses of study that enhance and expand students’ individual musical development. From private lessons in instrumental, voice, theory, and music production to small group classes in guitar, voice, chamber music, and improvisation for strings. Enriching experiences also include recitals, master classes, workshops and community outreach performances.

Established in 1919, Punahou Music School enrolls more than 725 students annually, including 17% from the broader community, with a faculty of 38 expert artist educators.

Hawaiian Arts

Punahou students experience the joy of Hawaiian Arts through a rich array of curricular and co-curricular opportunities where they are immersed in mele (song), hula (dance), visual arts, instrumentation and culinary traditions to name a few. As they explore creative expression, they also make important connections to language, culture – and the timeless values of Hawaiian heritage. 

Punahou’s early May Day celebrations were modeled after traditional English festivals. The School celebrated its first Hawaiian-inspired May Day and Holokū pageants in 1931, which incorporated the elements of Island Princesses and Kāhili Bearers. The revered David Eldredge ’49 reconceived the celebrations into their modern form in 1965 – further deepening cultural authenticity and celebrating more Hawaiian music, song and dance. Today every student in K – 5 performs in their respective May Day Programs and about 800 students in grades 6 – 12 participate in the Case Middle School May Day Program and the Holokū Pageant.

In Punahou’s most recent history, the curricular offerings around Hawaiian performing arts has grown. The Academy currently offers a Hawaiian Music Ensemble class that has been supported by our acclaimed Kumu Hula and Hawaiian musician, Kimo Keaulana-adding a depth to understanding Hawaiian music from a perspective that honors its roots in traditional performance contexts. 

Additionally, Case Middle School now offers Hawaiian Music Experience where they are introduced to a breadth of Hawaiian music through chant, song, dance, and instrumentation. In 2018, Punahou made the curricular decision to teach ‘Olelo Hawai‘i to all students in grades K – 5, deepening Hawaiian performing arts as part of the core curriculum in the Junior School. 

After school, students can continue experiencing Hawaiian arts, with various ‘ukulele and hula options that span K – 12. There are currently 150 students enrolled in this co-curricular program.

Theatre

Theatric excellence has a long tradition at Punahou – and many exciting milestones, such as the establishment of the Shakespeare Club in 1890. By the 1970s musical theatre productions, often accompanied by a live orchestra, had become a hallmark of Punahou’s creative life. The formal launch of Punahou’s Drama Department in 1986 further solidified this artistic legacy, serving as a springboard for many spectacular productions that have captivated scores of audiences throughout the years. Some recent shows include “SPAMALOT Young@Part,” the Tony Award-winning satirical musical “Urinetown,” and “Legally Blonde.”

During the school day, K – 5 classroom faculty enlist the support the drama resource teacher to stage Chapel presentations regularly, requiring weeks of honing public speaking, storytelling, movement and acting skills. The process begins by reading the script aloud and activating the text using facial expressions and gestures – bolstering poise and confidence. Some 1,000 students in K – 5 participate in Chapel presentations and are given the opportunity to be narrators and actors.

In Case Middle School, theatre is a required elective, with sixth graders taking Theatre X and moving on to Improv 7 the following year. These curricular experiences undoubtedly come in handy as students prepare for the Damon Speech presentations at Dillingham Hall each spring. 

In the Academy, students have access to a diverse array of theatre courses, including Acting (character and musical theatre), as well as Production, and Technology, allowing them to explore every facet of theatrical performance and production.

The show must go on – even after school hours. Punahou’s co-curricular offerings, which are open to the broad community, include Acting on Camera, Acting Fundamentals, Improv and Comedy, Auditioning, and Storytelling Through Drama.