Punahou’s Aloha United Way (AUW) Drive rallied much-needed support from Sept. 13 – 30, with students, faculty and staff finding creative ways to raise funds and awareness for the community agencies AUW helps support.
Across campus, students participated in AUW-themed chapel services, with presentations from agencies like AccesSurf inspiring ideas on how to contribute, including innovations for beach wheelchair designs to improve accessibility. K – 8 students came up with their own inventive ways to earn donations, such as washing the family car, while Academy students raised funds through the Student Marketplace in the Academy Quad.
This year, 15 student entrepreneurs sold a variety of items, from baked goods to handcrafted jewelry, as part of Students for AUW, an entirely student-led initiative founded by Bri-Ela Nakagawa ’26. The initiative highlights how young people can make a meaningful difference in their community. All proceeds from the Academy will benefit AUW partner agency AccesSurf and Make-A-Wish Hawaii.
For her part, through Aloha by Bri-Ela, Nakagawa created surfboard-shaped Rice Krispie treats to spread awareness about AccesSurf. Additionally, she sold boba tea with the help of a donation from Boba Bros. “The hope is to spread kindness and make a real difference in our community, and prove that kids can make a difference too,” said Nakagawa.
Punahou’s commitment to AUW is about more than just fundraising – it’s about fostering compassion and supporting agencies doing important work in the community.
The Academy’s student marketplace was bustling with activity with treats and handmade goods for sale in support of AUW.
