The School extends a warm mahalo to the leaders of the Parent Faculty Association (PFA), the Punahou Alumni Association (PAA), Nā Wāhine Pā‘ani o Punahou and Punahou O-Men. These volunteers play a crucial role in fostering an engaged community, and the School deeply appreciates these leaders, along with all individuals who generously contribute their time, expertise and resources to these essential organizations.
Parent Faculty Association
PFA is a volunteer organization of parents, faculty and staff, dedicated to supporting the School’s vision, programs and activities.
Emmie Kia
P ’21, ’22, ’25, ’28, ’31, PFA President 2024 – 2025
Kia, the mother of five Punahou students, Kahanu ’21, Nāmele ’22, Ko‘o ’25 Lālea ’28, and Hilina‘i ’31 – and wife to Nate ’92, Punahou’s Varsity football coach – relishes being an avid volunteer. With more than 15 years of dedicated work within the PFA, she has worn diverse hats, from homeroom parent to now being at the helm. Kia is a graduate of the University of Utah where she received a bachelor’s in family studies and a master’s in education, culture and society. She began her career teaching, and has taught kindergarten as well as worked with troubled youth. Kia has coached cheerleading and continues to run the non-profit she and her husband founded for Highlight Youth Football League. A resident of Kahalu‘u, Kia is also an accomplished baker showcasing her treats at the local farmer’s market each week.
What inspired you to start volunteering with the PFA?
I wanted to be as connected as I could with my children’s education. Signing up as a room parent was my first experience with PFA and is still my favorite “job” to do. My mom was always super involved in my school growing up. Everyone thought she worked at the school, but she just volunteered a lot. It’s how I was raised and I wanted the same for my family.
What motivates you to continue your volunteerism with the PFA?
I have had many opportunities to be a part of my children’s time at Punahou because of my involvement in PFA. I have developed relationships with teachers, administrators and other parents. All of that has contributed positively to my entire family’s experience at Punahou. I am naturally inclined to help out wherever I can. My dad is always serving others, and I know that he and my mom have taught me and my siblings to be service minded.
What aspirations do you have as PFA President?
My biggest goal is to connect everyone with ties to Punahou in a way that inspires them to want to contribute to the success of our students. Getting more parents who typically don’t have much experience with PFA – as well as alumni – more connected to the School through the PFA is a big priority for me. We have so many groups with ties to Punahou that if we can find ways for them to be involved, it would really benefit everyone.
What PFA activities or events are you looking forward to this year?
I think that all of the events are special in their own way, so it’s hard to pick just one. I love our slate of monthly gathering events coming up this year, and I think parents will find them very informative and engaging. I love our welcome coffee sessions for room parents, where we greet room parents for the year. Being in a room full of people who are enthusiastic about serving our school community is always uplifting.
– By Dayna Even
Punahou Alumni Association
PAA organizes and participates in educational, social and cultural programs that reach, connect and engage alumni.
Colleen Maeda ’85 Bird
P ’16, ’26, PAA President 2024 – 2025
Affectionately known as “Mama Bird” by her Punahou classmates, it’s natural that the Punahou Alumni Association (PAA) has embraced her. She began actively volunteering with the PAA Hawai‘i Chapter in 2016 and, since 2017, has been a Board Member. Bird is a negotiations and research specialist with the Hawai’i State Teachers Association (HSTA) and an attorney. She earned her juris doctor degree from the National Law Center at The George Washington University and her undergraduate degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. In addition to her contributions to the PAA, Bird has been an enthusiastic parent volunteer, supporting her two children Kekoa Nakasone ’16 and Kainoa Bird ’26. Her volunteer leadership is extensive from PFA homeroom parent and athletics team parent, to currently being one of the administrative Division heads for Carnival 2025. A resident of Mānoa, Bird spends her free time baking, gardening, shopping and entertaining with family and friends – especially her classmates.
What inspired you to start volunteering with the PAA?
I formally started volunteering in 2000, chairing my class shift at the Portuguese bean soup booth at Carnival and joining the reunion committee. We will be celebrating our 25th year there this year, at the last shift on Friday night. It’s the best time and we welcome new volunteers from our class every year. We even have classmates who fly into Honolulu for the event! I’ve co-chaired all of our reunions including our 24th Lū‘au.
What aspirations do you have as PAA President?
I aspire to find new and innovative ways to celebrate and engage our alumni, making new connections and reaching out especially to our younger members. I’m excited to expand our network capabilities to connect alumni through Ka ‘Ohana Punahou, our online platform. The platform is robust, and I look forward to increasing engagement through its many features.
What motivates you to continue your volunteerism with the PAA?
My parents for their sacrifice to send me to Punahou. The gift of a Punahou education does not end after you leave campus. The resources, the connections and the opportunities continue throughout our lives. We are fortunate to have a school that appreciates the energy and loyalty of our alumni, and blessed with a staff that facilitates and allows to us to innovate creative ways to engage with our diverse population.
What PAA activities or events are you looking forward to this year?
There are so many! Each one is full of joyful energy! Dinner in the Buff ’n Blue is fancy, fun and has delicious food! Bingo is a night of cafeteria-baked spaghetti! Children and alumni fill the room. Learning opportunities back on campus and tours to buildings and innovations that make your heart swell with pride (and a little envy). Mingle and Jingle is always fun for our newest members to return to campus for island treats and reconnect. Golf is the best afternoon in March, a relaxing and slightly competitive time for graduates to behave like they were still roaming the quad. I am most excited this year for our Alumni Lū‘au. It will be my 40th reunion, and because of the pandemic, we have not officially gathered for 10 years.
– By Dayna Even
Nā Wāhine Pā‘ani o Punahou
The organization supports athletic participation throughout all grade levels and enhances the girls athletic programs.
President Yolanda Lau ’98
P ’30, ’32
After a successful five-year tenure as VP of Pā‘ani, Lau is now at the helm of the
organization. She hopes to continue focusing on maximizing efficiencies, streamlining the grants management process and codifying governance to ensure long-term sustainability for the organization. “I also want to continue connecting with current families and women alums to share our mission,” Lau says. “Pā‘ani isn’t just for three-sport alumnae; it’s for anyone who wants to support the next generation of our female athletes.”
Punahou O-Men
The entity is devoted to enhancing students’ athletic experiences and providing a venue for fellowship among former athletes.
President David Kowen ’01
P ’32, ’34
The returning O-Men president is excited to mark the organization’s 100-year anniversary this year. “We will honor those who came before us while celebrating the current members, coaches and staff who drive the success of our athletic department,” he says. In addition, O-Men will continue with its diverse fundraising activities, the annual Kona Safari in late January and providing extensive support at the Punahou Carnival.