Strategic Planning

List of 5 items.

• Inquiry-led, Lifelong Learning

  Punahou’s ongoing work to develop a dynamic, student-centered, inquiry-led K – 12 curriculum that realizes the mission of Punahou School.
  
  Topics for review, inquiry, and recommendation include:

  • The integration of Junior School and Academy curricular planning
  • Strategies to promote personalized learning
  • Recommendations related to the further use and development of innovative learning spaces
  • Pedagogical support and development
  • The application of educational technologies to enhance/support student learning
  • Means to assess student academic engagement and achievement

• Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning

  At Punahou, cultivating social and emotional intelligence and ethical awareness is just as important as academic rigor for true college preparation. This priority area focuses on Punahou’s efforts to care for the whole student, promoting a culture of wellness, balance and resilience. 
  
  Topics for review, inquiry and recommendation include:

  • The further advancement of curricula in the Junior School and the Academy promoting social, emotional and ethical learning (SEEL)
  • Opportunities to improve or enhance counseling and support services and resources
  • Professional development for faculty and staff to enhance our ability to support student needs
  • The integration of goals for student wellness, belonging and support into Punahou’s curriculum, both in and outside the classroom

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)

  At Punahou, one of our core values is our commitment to a diverse and inclusive community where individuals of all cultures, backgrounds and perspectives feel that they belong, are fully included, and can learn together as their true and authentic selves.

   

  To support this important work, Punahou has convened a DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) Advisory Council to serve as a consultative body as the School plans initiatives designed to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. 

  • Faculty - Christina Cawdery (Junior School) and Mark Pangilinan (Academy)
  • Staff - Carolyn Fong Chan (Academy) and Michelle Taylor (Admission)
  • Trustees - Debbie Berger ’82 and John Morgan ’74
  • PAA (Punahou Alumni Association) - Ashley Wang ’94 and Kent Kasaoka ’94
  • PFA (Parent Faculty Association) - Angela Bond and Rachel Murkofsky

  These members represent a broad cross-section of our school community, with faculty and staff members nominated and selected by their peers. Each member will serve a minimum two-year term, helping to further the work of our strategic planning process.

• Student Safety and Well-being

  The goal of this strategic priority is for all Punahou students to learn in a schoolwide environment that is safe, free from abuse, neglect, and proactively focused on well-being.
  
  To support this initiative, the School regularly convenes student safety subcommittees on Campus Security, Adult Education, and Student Care and Wellness.
  
  In addition our work is supported through consultation with and advice from our Advisory Council on Student Safety, comprised of alumni and friends of the School with expertise in areas of child welfare and child advocacy. These member include:
  
  

  Ivy Asano ’84, M.D.

  PFA President (SY 2022 – 2023); Director of Admissions, Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i.

  
  

  Llasmin Chaine, LSW

  Education and Community Outreach Manager, Sex Abuse Treatment Center, Hawaii Pacific Health

  
  

  Georgi DeCosta ’93

  Survivor advocate, Na Pua o Punahou Founding Member. Former Windward O‘ahu Program Director, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.

   

  Karen Elizaga, J.D. ’88

  Survivor advocate, author, executive coach. Former Board Chair of Woman kind, an organization that provides support to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault. Former Trustee, Riverdale Country School in New York.

   

  Tiffany Farrell ’91

  Child safeguarding liaison. Expertise in developing and monitoring implementation of child safeguarding initiatives as a Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and a Trustee at the American School in Japan.

   

  Douglas Kwock, MD ’83

  Chief Medical Officer, Pali Momi Medical Center. Hawai‘i Pacific Health leadership and pediatrician with over 20 years of experience. 

   

  Kāneali‘i Ng-Osorio

  PFA President (SY 2021 – 2022); Kamehameha Schools Portfolio Manager.

   

  Cecily Sakai ’02, Psy.D.

  Clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, women’s health and wellness, and identity development concerns.

   

  James C. Wo ’06, Ph.D. (JC)

  Asst. Prof., Dept. of Sociology and Criminology, University of Iowa

   

  Rachael Wong, DrPH ’90

  Founder and Strategic Advisor, One Shared Future. Co-founder, Safe Spaces & Workplaces. Former Director of the Department of Human Services, State of Hawai‘i.

   

  Vonceil Yara, MA, AMFT, APCC

  Registered Associate Marriage Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor. Mental Health Counselor Intern. Focusing on work with children and families.

• Sustainability

  This strategic priority’s goal is to ensure that every member of our community learns about and does their part to build resilience and eliminate harm to our natural environment.
  
  Areas of focus include the creation of a K – 12 sustainability curriculum; engagement with alumni, parent, and the wider community in sustainability initiatives and philanthropy; and the adoption and best practices in sustainable school operations, including the usage of water, energy, waste, food, and transportation.
  
  Learn More