Main Article: Celebrating 100 Years of Storytelling
For more than two decades, Kathleen Connelly has quietly documented the life of Punahou, capturing moments that together tell a much larger story. Since 2004, her photographs have reflected the everyday and the extraordinary, preserving the relationships, traditions and milestones that define the school community.
Photography has always been part of Connelly’s life, and at Punahou it has become a way to express her deep connection to community, culture and sustainability. “My work allows me to capture the moments that make this place so special,” she says. “Watching students grow from kindergarten through Alumni Reunion has been a true privilege.”
For this commemorative issue, Connelly invites readers to pause and look more closely, curating a visual journey that celebrates the buff ’n blue connections woven across campus and beyond. Working in education holds particular meaning for her, aligning seamlessly with her personal values. “I find fulfillment in using my skills to support Punahou’s learning outcomes and to make a positive difference in the lives of young learners,” Connelly shares.
Kindergartners share a moment of joy following their first May Day celebration. Captured in 2016, this image marks an early chapter in what will become a lifelong journey of buff ’n blue friendships.
Punahou’s wa‘a kaulua, Kamaola, holds deep personal meaning for Connelly, a devoted member of its crew. “The vessel provides endless opportunities to learn about Hawaiian culture, voyaging, sustainability and community,” she says. This image chronicles Kamaola’s maiden voyage to Hakipu‘u in 2023.
Connelly delights in capturing the distinctive experiences that define a Punahou education. Shown here is a moment from 2024, when fifth graders visited Challenger Center Hawai‘i to take part in a simulated astronautical mission. “Punahou’s academic journey inspires discovery and purpose,” Connelly says. “I find that deeply compelling.”
Carnival is one of the most vibrant moments on the buff ’n blue calendar, filled with color, movement and collective energy. Connelly captured this image in 2018, as Junior Class chairs kicked off Carnival on a bright Friday morning. She finds special meaning in documenting the community coming together to support financial aid.
Connelly often draws inspiration from the beauty and poetry of hula, finding purpose in documenting how students learn, grow and connect through this cherished art form. Taken in 2024, this image reflects both the depth of tradition and the transformative power of culture in students’ lives.
This photograph of Romi Beppu ’94 was taken in the spring of 2020, just before campus closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Connelly selected the image for its sense of balance, where delicacy meets resilience and strength. “Reaching this level of excellence takes perseverance,” she says. “It also requires the care of a supportive community, which Punahou provides across all artistic and creative pursuits.”
Above: In 2024, Connelly captured this moment of wonder and friendship as third graders explore the lo‘i. The image is especially meaningful to her for the lessons it reflects – rooted in culture, connection and caring for the environment.
Henry Kapono ’67 takes the stage at Punahou’s first in-person Alumni Lū‘au following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022. More than a performance, it was a joyful homecoming for nearly 2,000 alumni, reunited through music and shared memories.