“Ho’oku’ikahi Kakou” means “Standing Together as One.” It is the theme of this year’s Noelani Mayfair, which we’re celebrating on Friday, May 23. This annual tradition was one that I always looked forward to when I was a student at Noelani, and I value it even more as a teacher now. It is a time when the school and community of parents and friends come together and celebrate fellowship and friendship, making it our most exciting and heartwarming day of the year.

There is a lot of work that goes into this special day. The Mayfair committee of parent and school volunteers worked for countless of hours planning everything from the keiki games to the silent auction to the baked goods and produce areas. The children have also spent time perfecting (well, as close to “perfect” as they can get) their grade level dances for our Mayfair program. From the Kindergarteners’ rendition of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” to the fifth graders’ traditional Maypole dance, the children’s energy and pride are completely charming. There’s nothing like children singing and dancing to make a May day beautiful.

If you have a chance, stop by and join us! The silent auction, produce, baked goods, and famous haku lei sales begin at 7am, with the Mayfair program at 9:30am, and the keiki games to follow.

Enjoy the photos below showing just a little of Mayfair preparation for our haku lei sales! I meant to get more photos previewing everything, including the Silent auction spread, but we were just too busy!!

Sharlene Arita, a teacher at Noelani, undertakes the huge task of organizing the haku lei making every year. Check out the absolutely gorgeous haku lei!

Here are two loyal alumni of Noelani, coming back to make haku lei!

There are currently 83 very excited fourth graders from Noelani Elementary School anxiously awaiting our grade level trip to the Big Island on May 7-9 (the 37 adult chaperones are getting sleep while they can).

Throughout the school year, the students have learned about how the hot spot under the Pacific Plate formed underwater volcanoes that eventually became our Hawaiian island chain. They learned about the Polynesians traveling to Hawaii with their canoes, about the early life of the Hawaiians and the ahupua’a, and about Kamehameha the Great and the monarchy that followed. The students learned about the overthrow of the monarchy, plantation life and the sharing of cultures, and all of the other major events that shaped what Hawaii has become today. All of these things will come to life when we visit the Big Island in just a few days. The students will walk through a lava tube, stand on an active volcano, and circle the crater of Kilauea. They will relive history as they visit the missionary house at the Lyman Museum, walk the grounds of Pu’uhonua O Honaunau (the City of Refuge), and explore the Amy Greenwell Gardens (where they will learn about the ancient Hawaiian foods, plants, and lifestyle). The students also will go to the amazing Imiloa Astronomy Center, where they will participate in hands-on Science activities and see a state-of-the-art planetarium show.

Although the trip is stressful for us teachers, it is the highlight of the year and one of the reasons that I feel so fortunate to teach fourth grade. For three days, we get to take our children on what is for most of them the biggest adventure they’ve had in their young lives. We get to experience things that are new and exciting, and make memories together that will last a lifetime.

There are so many people who make our trip happen, so a big THANK YOU goes out to all of you. Noelani’s PTA has always supported our trip, and our dedicated fourth grade parents have tirelessly worked all year long on everything from fundraising, to ordering t-shirts, to packing hundreds of snack bags. We appreciate all of you, and are grateful for your commitment to helping us provide this opportunity for our children.

As 120 of us are getting ready for a visit to our youngest, ever growing island for an educational and fun-filled three days, please wish us a vogless and happy time! Aloha!

This past weekend, I celebrated Earth Day (the official day this year is Tuesday, April 22) by making my little corner of the Earth cleaner, greener, and more beautiful.

On Saturday, April 19, Noelani Elementary held its annual Beautification Day. Noelani students, faculty and staff, parents, and community groups worked from 8 to 11 am weeding and painting areas throughout the campus. The difference we made in just a few hours was amazing! What was even more beautiful than the campus itself was seeing our combined hands, energy, and hearts working together.

Announcing Beautification Day

Here are my friends (fellow Noelani teachers) painting!

I worked on cleaning this bed of all the dead leaves

Doesn’t it look tidier?

On Sunday, April 20, I checked out Malama O Manoa’s Great Tree Giveaway at Manoa Valley Pavilian Park. Malama O Manoa had prepared to give away over 1,000 trees to loving families promising to plant the trees. By the time I arrived at 11:30am, there were only about 30 trees left! I talked with a volunteer arborist who told me all about the remaining trees- the Kukui Nut, Monkey Pod, and Milo. He also told me about the wonderful chaos that took place when the line of people waiting for the giveaway began swarming the front of the pavilian and grabbing the trees that were placed in alphabetical order. I am looking forward to an even greener Manoa as those trees begin to flourish.

Just a few of the trees were left from the 1,000 tree giveaway!