In the early decades of the twenty-first century, public education in the United States entered a period of experimentation and structural change. Alongside traditional district schools, a growing number of charter schools emerged with distinctive missions, governance models, and curricular priorities. Among the most visible of these were schools centered on environmental education and STEM…
Elementary School Communities: How Schools, Families, and Alumni Shape Student Life
In a young child’s life, the elementary school community becomes a foundational world — not just a place for lessons, but a complex network of relationships, routines, and shared goals. When families, schools, and alumni work together, children feel safer, more supported, and better equipped to learn and grow. What Makes a School Community? A…
Preserving Institutional Memory: Why Educational History Matters More Than Ever
Educational institutions are more than places of instruction. Over time, they become living archives of collective experience, shaped by students, educators, families, and communities. Preserving this institutional memory is not only an act of historical documentation, but a foundation for identity, continuity, and trust. As schools and colleges evolve, their histories help explain who they…
Why Academic Conferences Still Matter in a Digital Age
Events • Research & Learning Even with journals, preprints, and video calls, research conferences remain one of the most practical ways scholars share ideas, test arguments, and build the relationships that shape what gets studied next. Reading time: ~7–9 minutesStudent-friendly, practical guideTime zone: your browser More Than Just Meetings If you’ve never attended an…
The Ultimate IB Extended Essay Guide
It’s hard to forget the first time I heard about the IB Extended Essay. Four thousand words. Independent research. A project that sounded more like a university thesis than a high school assignment. At that time, it felt like standing on the edge of an ocean, unsure whether I had the strength to swim across….
18th Annual Eddie Hamada Golf Tournament
August 7, 2009, at Pearl Country Club felt like the perfect day for a tradition that brings the ‘Iolani community together. Alumni, families, and friends arrived early, clubs in hand, ready to play—and ready to celebrate what makes this event special: camaraderie, community, and a shared love for ‘Iolani School. This year’s tournament raised $32,000…
Mahalo and Aloha: Honoring Our Faculty & Staff
The final faculty meeting of the school year carried a special energy. The room buzzed with chatter, laughter, and a touch of bittersweet nostalgia. There is always something unique about these moments. They pause to honor the people who quietly shape the heartbeat of ‘Iolani. Headmaster Dr. Val Iwashita recognized educators who are retiring or…
What You Do With What You Have
There’s a picture in her office at Queen’s Medical Center. Not just another framed memory, but a reminder of a turning point. A woman—injured in the Pentagon attack of 2001—smiles faintly from a hospital bed, her family gathered close. Dr. Elizabeth Ignacio ’89 is beside her, speaking in Tagalog, helping the patient bridge language and…
Inspiration and Insight: Reflecting on Dr. Cathy Bell ’87
When I first heard about Dr. Cathy Bell ’87, I was struck not just by her accomplishments, but by the weight of history she carries. Her great-grandfather, Dr. Alsoberry Kaumualii Hanchett, was the first Hawaiian to graduate from Harvard Medical College in 1914. Her grandfather, The Right Rev. E. Lani Hanchett ’37, became the first…
Class of 2012: Where Their Next Chapter Begins
Every graduating class carries its own story — friendships built, lessons learned, and dreams that slowly shape into plans. For the Class of 2012, those dreams are now scattering across the map as our newest alumni step into the next stage of their journeys: college life. When I look at this list, I see more…