Update: Over 3,000 Mahalo-grams were sent on May 2. Thanks to everyone for sharing your appreciation with the Punahou community.
Beginning in the mid-70s through the early 2000s, thousands of handwritten, paper Mahalo-grams expressing sweet sentiments of gratitude were sorted and distributed to homerooms each year on Gratitude Day.
In 2022, Mahalo-grams are back – with free e-cards delivered to inboxes and a new day designated to send them. Punahou Alumni Association resurrected the Mahalo-grams tradition and dubbed Monday, May 2 as Mahalo Day, a chance for the Punahou community to appreciate and reflect on friendships and memories and also celebrate teachers, colleagues and administrators during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2 – 6.
The new Mahalo-grams feature brightly colored and cheery Punahou-themed art like the night-blooming cereus alongside the message “You’re a one-in-a-lifetime friend,” or a drawing of the Flaming “P” with the words “Keep the fire burning.” Alumni Cade Roster ’91 and Brian Watanabe ’90 collaborated to create the Mahalo Day set of six cards.
Sending a Mahalo-gram is simple, as long as the recipient’s email address is known. Users can select a card design and personalize a message. Mahalo-grams can be created now and will be delivered on Monday, May 2. After Mahalo Day, the Punahou e-cards will be available for sending anytime throughout the year on Punahou’s alumni webpage.