Spring Magazine 2023

VOYAGER

Island School’s original invitation written by the Founding Mothers in 1977.

Administration

Vincent W. Durnan, Interim Head of School

Alice Pajela, Executive Assistant & Registrar

Sean Magoun, Director of Institutional Advancement

Brian Pearson, Business Manager

Nathaniel Evslin, High School Division Director

Stephanie Achuara, Middle School Division Director

Cristy Peeren, Elementary School Division Director

Sue Macklin, Early Education Division Director

Dr. Jeff Kozak, Academic Director

Jerry Jona, Athletic Director

Suzy May, Development Director

Genevieve Foster, Communications Director

Our Mission

Educating the mind, inspiring the heart. Preparing Kauai’s youth to lead lives of significance.

4. Letters from our Leadership

6. Honoring our Roots

10. David W. Pratt Hall

12. Class of 2023

22. Traditions Start Early

24. Finish Strong

26. Island School Chorus

28. Fall Festival

30. Island School Alumni

Board of Directors

Officers

Katherine G. Richardson, President

David W. Pratt, Vice President & Chair, Development

Laura Cushnie, Vice President & Chair, Academic Affairs

Samuel W. Pratt, Treasurer & Chair, Finance

Charles G. King, Ass’t. Treasurer

Sonia Topenio, Secretary

Christine Ing, Ass’t. Secretary & Chair, Marketing

Members

Colby Ayonon

Debra Blachowiak

James Guerber

Jed Gushman

Cynthia Hannah-White

Alan King

Wade Lord, Chair, Buildings & Grounds

Janet Mayfield

Teri Peers

Laura Ryan

Will Summerhays

Marc Ventura

Directors Emeritus

Lindsay Kamm

David W. Proudfoot

Ex-Officio

Vincent W. Durnan, Interim Head of School

Dear Island School ʻOhana,

Such a gift this year has been. You could easily be forgiven for not even knowing I had parachuted in last summer to pitch in for this single voyage through the academic calendar, culminating in the graduation of the remarkable seniors showcased in the pages of this publication. There’s every chance that you may not remember me, but I surely, surely will remember you. The newness and the differentness of it all guarantees that these recollections will stick.

At the top of the to-do list on arrival was finding a talented, engaging, receptive next head of school to carry the baton here. It would be hard to imagine anyone more perfect for that combination of challenge and opportunity than Nancy Nagramada. Where I lived in the moment, she will be looking to the horizon. Where I worked around the edges of things, she will get to the heart of what matters. Where I tried to microwave a few ideas, she’ll be able to marinate and stew the next big projects—all with your considerable help. Hers is the chance to know this school community, from Hāʻena to Kekaha, the way it deserves to be known. Time will be her ally, and Island School’s ally, if you let that happen.

What happens here is unlike anything that my wanderings in the world of schools have yet shown me. Maybe in part because we lack any colleagues on island in a similar situation, much of what we do and how we do it is filtered through examples from far away, in both time and distance. What results is our own answer to doing school. My guess is that with Nancy’s landing Island School may more actively search out our educational cousins in other settings, that we’ll do more of what the rest of the world has started calling benchmarking.

If we went in that direction, we’d likely discover a few essential truths. Island School stretches a budgeted dollar further than almost anyone, and we budget more of those dollars for need-based aid than others would ever imagine possible, and we bring together a community of people from an amazing range of backgrounds and mindsets to somehow agree on enough to make this place possible. To do all three of those things simultaneously stands as even more amazing. I would defy even the most capable school hotshots to replicate what we already have.

And then it would be time to think about what we will do next, having reached this particular shore—where do the Voyagers go from here? Our campus, for all the right reasons, is maxed out, as we saw on May Day, with every square foot occupied. We’re bringing on essential classroom space with the David Pratt building you’ll read about in the pages that follow, but we’re strapped every day at lunch for places to sit down. And we feel the local housing crunch acutely every time we offer a faculty position, not to mention the strain that the general cost of living puts on our modest wages and salaries.

Fortunately for us, if we decide to solve these riddles, we’re doing so from a position of strength. You cannot convince me that Island School does not have the people and the resources to figure this out, to find a way to make this part of paradise an educational oasis. As I’ve said to the dedicated, idealistic, risk-tolerant founders who got us started, we just need to commit to something that’s as hard as what they did.

Let me sign off with a question. Having developed a huge feeling of aloha for this remarkable school, I wonder about our theory of change, about the what, the how, and the when, not to mention the why, of the right next steps here. May you find the way forward together, understanding the power of this time in the school’s history, rooted in our singular past and leaning toward the future.

With so much gratitude for your kindness,

Dear Island School Community,

What a pleasure it is to be looking ahead to join you so soon. My family and I had a wonderful visit in April, learning the lay of the land, spending time on campus, scoping out where we might live, and even joining the incredible Gala. What a vibrant and welcoming community lies at the center of Island School. In fact, Milo, my son who will enter 7th Grade in the fall, had such a wonderful time sitting in on 6th Grade classes that he wanted to return for another day with his new friends – a true testament to the warm welcome from the 6th Grade teaching team, the 6th Graders themselves, as well Stephanie, Sean, and Christine.

After my visit last month, I have no doubt that my nearly 30 years of teaching and leading in schools has led me to Island School. I couldn’t have predicted this journey, not even a year ago, but from day one, I have felt welcomed and valued for who I am and what I can bring to this community. My parents, who immigrated from the Philippines and had to build their own lives in the United States brick-by-brick, modeled for me that it is through hard work, love of family, care for our environment around us, and dedicated study that my siblings and I could build our own lives as we dreamed. It is this foundation that I bring with me to all that I do, and I look forward to what we will sustain and build together.

I have been spending my spring having regular meetings with Vince, and I feel so grateful that he and I have established a strong communication routine so that our transition can be a smooth one. He has done meaningful work in his short time at the School, and I have no doubt that he will be missed dearly. I feel such gratitude that he has offered to remain in touch in the fall.

For the remainder of this spring, I will be closing out my work in San Francisco and will arrive at Island School in late June to officially begin the handoff between Vince and me. So for now, I will turn towards closing the year at The San Francisco School, organizing the many meaningful traditions that mark the end of the school year. My family will then pack up our lives – give away much and store our winter jackets for when we visit family on the mainland – and have many, many goodbyefor-now celebrations with our own families as well as the communities we have built in California. Island School is in wonderful hands with Vince to close the year. I look forward to hearing about it all when I arrive, for I know that for me to have any hope for a strong future as Island School’s next Head of School, I must dedicate time to listen to the community — students, faculty, staff, families, alumni, Board members, broader community members — to talk-story so that I can come to a deeper understanding of the Island School and Kaua’i history.

I cannot close my letter without expressing my deepest gratitude to the role each of you played in the Search process. The way in which the Search Committee, led by Sam Pratt and Jed Gushman, as well as Kathy Richardson and the Board developed a process that allowed Island School to shine as well express its needs and for me to feel fully seen as I shared what I had to offer — that is not an easy dance. Your process was strategic and both honored the past and shared a hope and vision for the future. The Board and Search Committee centered student, faculty, and staff voices and created critical space for parents to participate as well. And now, in collaboration with the Transition Committee - led by Chris Ing and Sam Pratt with Vince, Board, parent and staff members, we are well on our way to start the next voyage into Island School’s future.

I look forward to being a Voyager alongside you.

Warm regards,

Honoring our Roots

On January 20, 2023, the seven women who founded Island School, Jolly Bodine, Denise Kaufman, Merlyn Ruddell, Diana Dahl, Rochelle Karter, Peggy Ellenburg, and Lyndsay Kamm, came together from across the country to celebrate the institution’s 46th birthday. During the celebration, an all school assembly in the Wilcox Gym, the founders were asked questions from students across all divisions, from 12th grade seniors to our youngest Voyagers in Na Pua Keiki. Student questions included, does Island School now represent your initial vision for what we could be? (High School), what advice would you give students today, and how would that be different from what you would have given 46 years ago? (Middle School), and how many days did it take to make the school - and how many hammers did you use? (Pre-K)

This was also an important event because it was the first time in recent years that all seven women were able to be on island at once to celebrate Island School’s birthday. Now, the Founding Mothers live in different parts of the country, but in 1977, these seven women found themselves on Kauaʻi with a shared goal: to create an alternative education option for the children living here. At this year’s birthday celebration, these women had the opportunity to share their story.

In the 1970’s, these women were living on Kauaʻi and found themselves, through different means – shared neighborhoods, community groups, and connections from the mainland – together. Each of these seven women either had children in the Kauaʻi school system, or worked as teachers in the system, and had their own reasons for believing that an alternate schooling system should be available on the island.

After sharing their own and their childrens’ education experiences on Kauaʻi, they decided to create the type of school they wanted to see on Kauaʻi. They quickly began meeting, fundraising, and planning. From surviving minutes from a December 1975 meeting, our Founding Mothers attempted to answer three questions: who are we? What do we want?

And what do we need? Their answers would guide the school for years to come, including ensuring that the program would seek to accommodate “the island’s need for an above-average educational facility for which many parents send their children to private school on Oʻahu,” and having scholarships to ensure the accessibility of this above-average educational facility.

Once the Founding Mothers had a clear vision of what they wanted Island School to be, the real work began. In 1975, paperwork for nonprofit status was underway, the hunt for a possible school site was on, and grant applications were being submitted. Diana hand delivered the school’s license application to the State Department of Education in 1976, and on January 24, 1977, Island School was opened in an old Plantation Store in Kealia. There were 12 students enrolled in January, and the Founding Mothers filled roles of teachers and administrators, along with a hired substitute teacher and full-time maintenance person.

At the 2023 birthday celebration, all seven Founding Mothers were able to tell the story of Island School to current students. The Founding Mothers were able to visit Island School at a particularly historical year, as we continue construction on the David W. Pratt Hall, and have the most students enrolled in Island School’s history. Sitting on the stage during the birthday celebration, these women were able to look out at the largest group of students ever enrolled in Island School history, and a crowd that included community members and two of the very first Island School students, now fully grown and one of whose own child attended and graduated from Island School. This was a meaningful and important day for the school, and represented the growth of Island School, now and into the future.

Above, Island School’s Founding Mothers from left to right: Jolly Bodine, Lyndsay Kamm, Rochelle Karter, Diana Dahl, Merlyn Ruddell, Peggy Ellenburg, and Denise Kaufman

Founders’ Hallway

Above: A sketch of the school done by 1983 art teacher, Lisa Sullivan, which was used on Island School note cards and parent newsletter.

Above: Peggy Ellenburg, Rochelle Karter, Diana Dahl, Denise Kaufman and Lindsay Kamm (left to right) at the Grove Farm site in Puhi in 1981.

Above: Diana Dahl cleans windows at Island School’s first location in Keālia.

Above: Lindsay and Greg Kamm, married in Honolulu on March 20, 1976.

Above: Peggy Ellenburg, who taught at Island School until 2018, with her husband-to-be Willy Ellenburg, 1975.

Above: The first Island School bus was a used Volkswagen van in which Lindsay Kamm drove students to Keālia from Kōloa.

Above: During the transition from Keālia to Puhi, Lindsay Kamm removes the Island School sign from the Keālia building.

Above: “An Invitation” was an advertisement for Island School that outlined the values of the seven women who founded the school.

Above: Four of the seven Founding Mothers celebrate the first day of school at the Puhi Campus, September 16, 1991.

In preparation for Island School’s 46th birthday ceremony and the rare event of all seven Founding Mothers being on campus to celebrate, administration filled frames in the entrance hallway. Thirteen photos, each thirty inches tall and twenty inches wide, tell the story of Island School’s creation. From the first years in Keālia, in an old plantation store across the road from the beach, to expansion that called for a move to Pūhi, the early years of Island School are documented where our families can see as soon as they walk onto campus.

Above: Denise Kaufman in 1970.

Above: Lindsay Kamm and Peggy Ellenburg took a visit to the construction site of the David W. Pratt Hall during their visit in 2023.

Above: Six of the seven Founding Mothers came to Island School to celebrate the 45th birthday in 2022.

Above: Diana Dahl and Vinny Bryan sing at 1982 commencement ceremony.

Above: Founding Mothers blow out birthday candles on Island School’s 46th birthday celebration in 2023.

Looking toward the Future

The 2022-2023 school year was set to the soundtrack of dust fences being erected, concrete being poured, and history being created on Island School’s campus. The David W. Pratt Hall, named after the Vice President of Island School’s Board of Directors, has been a great need on campus for many years, and is nearing completion. Phase One of this project, which included grading of the land and installing electrical wires and energy lines began in June of 2020. By August of 2023, the project is scheduled to be completed. Students in the 2023-2024 school year will be among the first students to attend classes in this new two-story, six-classroom building which will include a maker space.

David W. Pratt joined the Board of Directors in 1987, and served as Board President from 1997-2009, and currently serves as the Vice President. Mr. Pratt’s history with Island School is deep, and his philanthropy throughout the years has been invaluable. He worked hard to move Island School from itʻs original location in Kealia to Līhuʻe in 1991, by soliciting funds and getting the master plan approved by the County of Kauaʻi. In the early 2000’s, Mr. Pratt almost single handedly raised funds for both the Wilcox Gym and the Frear Center, and has helped secure more than 4 million of the 5.8 million dollars needed to complete this new building. Island School would not be what it is today without the generous support from David Pratt, and we are honored to continue his legacy and memory through the naming of our newest campus addition.

The David W. Pratt Hall will fulfill a great need on Island School’s campus. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not irregular for students to attend smaller classes outside, or in teachers’ offices as enrollment continued to grow. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when students were still coming to campus but following the county’s social distancing guidelines, temporary outdoor tents were put up to allow students to attend class outside. Classes continued to be held in these outdoor tents into the 2022-2023 school year. These temporary solutions worked in a pinch, but as our student body continues to increase, these solutions become less and less practical.

This new addition to our campus will offer six new classrooms, each with the capacity to hold 25 students. With the ability to host 150 students at one time, we will be able to retire our temporary solutions and provide more comfortable learning spaces for both students and teachers. Our outdoor classroom tents will become high school student lounges, which will allow us to expand our class sizes. The addition of this new building will be a huge benefit to our campus, as it will allow us to meet our long term goal of increasing enrollment to 500 students. We want to make an Island School education as accessible as possible to as many Kauaʻi residents as possible, which will be made easier with our ability to admit more students.

We wish to extend a huge mahalo to everyone who has helped us complete this project throughout the years, be it through time, resources, or funds, as it is truly a need for Island School.

Above: David W. Pratt Hall on November 1, 2022

Above: David W. Pratt Hall on May 2, 2023

Introducing the Class of 2023

Julia Barzilai Columbia University

Melelaʻi Beck University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa

Talia Beebe Reed College

Bentley Burger University of Oklahoma

Ella Carter Kauaʻi Community College

Madison Choi Grand Canyon University

Liliana DeSouza Whitman College

Daniela Earl Savannah College of Art and Design

Liko Edwards University of Nevada at Las Vegas

Anika Evanoff Lewis and Clark College

Tanner Hadley Brigham Young University, Idaho

Liam Hall University of Arizona

Zachary Hermanns ATP Flight School

Eivin Huss Eriksson Aalborg Sportshojskole in Denmark

Kali Ilnickij University of Portland

Kianalei Kamalani Eastern Washington University

Manoa Knight Santa Barbara City College

Bodie Lanini Grand Canyon University

Mia Laver San Diego State University

Jared Jaydon Louis Kauaʻi Community College

Nathan Maczka Arizona State University

Thatcher Magoun Pursuing career in construction & heavy equipment

Lucas McSweeny San Diego State University

Lukas Myers George Fox University

Stefanie Netto Eastern Washington University

Bradley Pratt University of Colorado at Boulder

Echo Rohner Hawaiʻi Pacific University

Noémie Sánchez University of Alaska at Anchorage

Rayna Shafter University of San Diego

Skylar Stewart Colorado State University

Sienna Temme University of Colorado at Boulder

Reyn Wells Savannah College of Art and Design

Class Profile

• This year our seniors received 127 acceptance letters to 77 different schools across the country. These acceptances spanned 24 states.

• Our seniors will continue their educational journey across the nation, heading to California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, Oklahoma, New York, Nevada, Idaho, and even all the way to Alaska.

• Our seniors are interested in a variety of majors, ranging from Nursing, Biology, and Mechanical Engineering to Film, Graphic Design, and Architecture.

• 28 of our graduates are headed to 4 year colleges or universities, 3 will be attending community colleges, 1 will be headed to ATP Flight School, and 1 already has a job offer and will be entering the workforce in construction and heavy equipment.

• This class is evenly split between public and private institutions, with exactly 50% attending each.

• Even in the years of COVID, the Class of 2023 found time to perform over 3,000 hours of community service over the last four years.

• This class was the 18th class at Island School to complete senior capstone projects. Topics included brain injuries in football, watersheds, the placebo effect, and women in the military. Projects included Designing a Custom Home, Creating a Small Business to Sell Original Art, Reforesting a Koa site, and Interning with the Mayor.

• In total, this senior class was offered well over $1,500,000 in scholarships and grant money per year from all of their schools of acceptance.

• Average SAT score:1110

• Average GPA: 3.4

Island School Graduation Awards

Board of Directors Award

Talia Beebe

Eivin Huss Eriksson

Skylar Stewart

Head of School Award

Julia Barzilai

Bradley Pratt

Founders’ Spirit Award

Liko Edwards

Kali Ilnickij

Nathan Maczka

Sons and Daughters Award

Voyager Artist Award

Liliana DeSouza

Scholar Athlete Award

Liko Edwards

Lukas Myers

Julia Barzilai, Liliana DeSouza, Liko Edwards, Jared Jaydon Louis, Thatcher Magoun, Bradley Pratt 13, Spring Edition

Julia Barzilai is the daughter of Laura and Reouven Barzilai of Kalāheo. She has attended Island School for 12 years. She has been a member of Student Government for all four years of high school. She is also a member of National Honor Society where she has contributed to community service projects. Outside of school, Julia dances hula for Hālau Ka Waikahe Lani Mālie, and she has been playing the piano since the age of seven. She enjoys photography, running and going to the beach with friends. Junior year, Julia attended a study abroad program at Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Julia is enrolled to study environmental science at Columbia University this upcoming fall.

Liliana De Souza is the daughter of Marjorie DeSouza and Renato De Souza of Līhuʻe.

Liliana has attended Island School for 12 years and has spent her time playing volleyball and soccer as well as running track. She has also spent many hours participating in various community service activities including coaching volleyball, participating in conservation work at Nuʻalolo Kai with Napali Coast ʻOhana, and volunteering at various school events. She has also received the rising artist award for her outstanding work in the arts. Liliana is planning to attend Whitman College to study graphic arts and plans to open her very own tattoo shop after graduation.

Melelaʻi Beck is the daughter of Stacy Sproat and David Beck of Kalihiwai and Waikoko. She has attended Island School for four years. Melelaʻi participated in paddling her junior and senior year, and track her junior year. After discovering her passion for paddling junior year, Melelaʻi spent her free time paddling for a variety of OC6 teams on ʻOahu and Kauaʻi, and OC1 paddling on the North and South shores of Kauaʻi. One of her greatest achievements was completing the Na Pali OC6 race with Team Bradley in September 2022 placing second overall. Her love for the ʻāina and driving aspiration to become an accomplished waterwoman pushes her to indulge in outdoor activities daily. Melelaʻi will be attending University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to study in natural resources and environmental management.

Daniela Earl is the daughter of Snezana Velickovic of Kalāheo and Larry Earl of Kapaʻa. She has gone to Island School for three years and has a love for the arts, photography, and bodybuilding. She has been part of Island School’s theater plays Steel Magnolias and Alice in Wonderland as set designer and backstage crew. Daniela has also participated in the Island School GSA throughout her sophomore and junior year as both member and copresident, and had been one of the top photographers and editors of the 2022 yearbook. Daniela enjoys spending her free time with friends and family, as well as taking part in the community with her neighborhood dog walking service. Daniela will be attending the Savannah College of the Arts and Design, in Savannah, Georgia to dual major in fashion design and business, and minor in photography.

Talia Beebe is the daughter of Lyle Robinson and Thomas Beebe of Waipakē. She has attended Island School for four years. Talia has a love for her pets, hiking, the gym, and exploring the island with her friends. She has been part of the Island School mock trial team and student government. She captained the Mock Trial team her senior year and hopes to go into law. She enjoys drawing and playing music in her free time. Talia will be taking a gap year before attending Reed College in Portland, Oregon and intends to study psychology on a pre-law track.

Liko Edwards is the daughter of Ehren and Leah Edwards of Kalāheo. Liko has attended Island School for 13 years. She has participated in Island School’s volleyball, paddling, and track teams throughout high school, and was a part of the first girl’s volleyball, paddling, and track teams to win a KIF title. Liko is planning to study nursing.

Bentley Burger is the daughter of Shawna and Mark Burger of Poʻipū. Bentley has attended Island School for 4 years. She has a love for her family and friends and has played Island School volleyball all four years of high school. Bentley is planning to attend The University of Oklahoma to study criminology.

Ella Carter is the daughter of Beth and Brian Carter of Wailua. She has attended Island School for six years. Ella has been part of the Island School swim, paddling, and JV volleyball teams. She has also participated in the Aloha Club at Island School. Ella is planning to attend Kauaʻi Community College and study nursing.

Madison Choi is the daughter of Dr. Daniel and Debbie Choi of Poʻipū. Madison has attended Island School for five years. She has participated in the Island School choir for one year and played volleyball for one year. She has also worked at Healing Horses and Premier Martial Arts. Madison plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, majoring in justice studies.

Anika Evanoffis the daughter of Claudia and George Evanoff of Līhuʻe and has attended Island School for 6 years. Anika loves theater, which she has been a participant in since elementary school, and Model UN, which has been an active part of her life all four high school years. She has also been a part of Student Government, GSA, Science Olympiad, Mock Trial, NHS, Shanti Alliance, Blue Planet’s Climate Crew, Kauai Chamber Choir, and more. She has been fortunate enough to be able to participate in various other conferences and speak on statewide panels. The highlight of her high school career was the summer internship she held at Wilcox Hospital.

Tanner Hadley is the son of Todd Hadley and Megan Hadley of Poʻipū. Tanner has attended Island School for seven years. He has participated in cross country, golf, and track while at Island School. He loves working on the many businesses that he has created over the past few years. Tanner is planning to attend Brigham Young University in Idaho to study real estate, business management, and construction management.

Liam Hall is the son of Marry and Matthew Hall of Moloa’a. He has attended Island School for six years, where has been part of the Island School’s paddling and volleyball teams.

Zachary Hermanns is the son of Mike Hermanns and Schantie Hermanns. Zach was born and raised on Kauaʻi and has lived in Kīlauea on the north shore his entire life. Zach has been attended Island School for five years. Zach is an extremely active person, and has participated in tennis, volleyball, and weight training during his time at Island School. Zach recently found a love for flying planes, and has decided on becoming a commercial pilot. He has been accepted into ATP flight school in California.

Eivin Huss Eriksson is the son of Nina Rønsted and Andrè Huss Eriksson. He has attended Island School for four years. Eivin is passionate about sports and has been one of the team captains for Island School’s basketball and track teams. He will be attending Aalborg Sports School for his gap year before applying to the University of Copenhagen in hopes of studying medicine.

Kali Ilnickij is the daughter of Maryanne Ilnickij of Kalāheo. Kali has attended Island School for five years. Kali has been involved in numerous clubs including: Aloha Ambassadors, Student Government, Shanti Alliance, The Interact Club, and National Honors Society. She is planning on studying political science.

Mia Laver is the daughter of Richard and Niki Laver of Princeville. She has attended island school for five years. Mia has been a part of Island School’s varsity soccer and track team. She loves to go to the gym and the beach in her free time. Mia will be attending San Diego State University to study business.

Jared Jaydon

Hoolohe Louis (JJ) is the son of Jerrie Louis and Rhonelle Louis of Hanapēpē. JJ has attended Island School for 15 years. JJ has played soccer, volleyball, baseball, and participated in air riflery throughout his high school career. JJ won KIF two years in a row for varsity soccer. JJ has also ridden dirt bikes since he was 10 years old and has continued to ride throughout his high school career. JJ is planning to attend Kauaʻi Community College (KCC) to major in mechanics.

Nathan Maczka is the son of Jenifer and Derek Maczka of Princeville. Nathan has attended Island School for five years. Nathan spent his high school career devoting himself to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and excelling in academics. Nathan is planning to attend Arizona State University to study engineering.

Kianalei Kamalani is the daughter of Roni Marley and Joshua Kamalani of Kīlauea. She has attended Island School for 11 years. Kianalei has a love for athletics and has participated in volleyball, track, and soccer while at Island School. Outside of Island School athletics she has played: soccer, beach and indoor volleyball, and a little bit of boxing. Kianalei enjoys painting, making sculptures, and writing poetry. She will be attending Eastern Washington University in Cheney, to study interior design and real estate.

Manoa Knight is the son of Kavika Knight of Pāʻea Tahiti and Nancy Bambridge of Punaʻauia Tahiti. He has attended Island School for four years. Manoa has a love for soccer and has participated in many tournaments in Hawaiʻi and the mainland. He has been part of the Island School soccer, volleyball, cross country, paddling, and track teams. He enjoys surfing in his free time.

Bodie Lanini is the son of Erik and Heidi Lanini of Princeville. Bodie has attended Island School for three and a half years. He participated in air riflery and volleyball for two years, and joined track & field his senior year. Bodie is planning to attend Grand Canyon University to study software development with a minor in history.

Thatcher Magoun is the son of Sean and Katie Magoun from Kalāheo. He has attended Island school for the last 15 years. He has been part of the Island School air rifle, cross country, volleyball, track, and soccer teams. Thatcher played on the first soccer team to win backto-back KIF titles in Island School history. Thatcher enjoys fishing and wrenching on vehicles. Beyond high school, he will be pursuing a career in carpentry and construction

Lucas McSweeny is the son of Michael McSweeny and Marisa Hurley of Kalāheo. Lucas has attended Island School for eight years. Lucas has participated in swimming, paddling, and track & field. He is a proud member of the National Honor Society, Interact Club, and is the Senior class president. He has won academic awards in physics and language & composition, he was also awarded MVP of the swim team his junior year.

Lukas Myers is the son of Kristi and Chet Myers of Līhuʻe. Lukas has attended Island School for two years. Lukas was on Island School’s basketball and volleyball teams during both his junior and senior years and ran for Island School’s track and cross country teams during his senior year.

Stefanie Netto is the daughter of Janet and Orlando Netto of Kōloa. Stefanie has attended Island School for six years. Over the years, Stefanie has been part of Island Schools volleyball, soccer and track and field teams. Stefanie loves to sing and go to the gym with the girlies. She will be attending Eastern Washington University in the fall and majoring in communications.

Bradley Pratt is the son of Samuel and Robin Pratt of Līhuʻe. Bradley has been an integral member of the Island School community for a decade and a half. He actively volunteers at the County of Kauaʻi Mayor’s Office, displaying a notable sense of civic duty. His affinity for running has endured since seventh grade, and he has since established a distinguished track record, having competed in cross country and track state championships five times, achieving two KIF team first places and two KIF individual first places. Bradley’s predilection for filmmaking and preserving memories is a source of tremendous satisfaction. He is currently planning on pursuing a degree in film and media production at CU Boulder, driven by his zealous ardor for the creative arts.

Kai Spindt is the son of Amy and Milo Spindt of Lāwaʻi. Kai has attended Island School for 12 years. Kai enjoys making jewelry and has participated in track and field and cross country at Island School. He was named a KIF all star in cross country in 2021 and has been to states all three times he has competed at the high school level. After graduating, Kai will take a gap year to find a private track and field coach, as well as a job in engineering or computer science to gain experience in the fields he is considering studying.

Echo Rohner is the daughter of Rachel Flores and David Rohner of Kilauea. Echo has attended Island School for six years. She has a strong passion for theatre, dance, and performing arts. Echo has performed in every Island School play that she could be a part of along with many other community musicals. She has been a part of the Island School Chorus as well as the National Honors Society. Echo also has participated in the Island School hula halau for three years. She intends to pursue psychology and performing arts in college.

Skylar Stewart is the daughter of Valerie Barko and Jeffrey Stewart of Puhi.

Skylar has attended Island School for seven years. She has participated in cross country and track her freshman, junior, and senior years. She has gone to States for cross country all three years she participated. She has also participated in swimming and soccer, and she was co-captain of the soccer team her senior year. She has been on the Head of School list and High Honor Roll all four years of high school. She has also received academic awards in History of Hawaii, Honors Physics, and AP Language and Composition. Skylar is planning to attend Colorado State, in Fort Collins, to study biology with a track in premed.

Noémie Sánchez is the daughter of Jasmine and Christopher Sánchez of Wailua. Noémie has attended Island School nonconsecutively for three years. Noémie has participated in many school sports, including tennis, soccer, volleyball, archery, cross country skiing, track, and paddling. Although not yet certain, Noémie (who has desired to become a military pilot for many years) plans on spending a year at University of Alaska in Anchorage Alaska with her dad before heading off to an international school in Europe.

Rayna Shafter is the daughter of Renate and Andrew McMullen of Kapa’a. She has attended Island School for seven years. Rayna has a passion for music and theater that she has pursued outside of school for most of her life. Rayna enjoyed singing with the Alaka’i chorus, dancing with the Island School Halau, and acting with the Island School Theatre Company. She has taken part in student government all four years, with the privilege of being president during her senior year. She participated in National Honors Society and Aloha Ambassadors, and she has competed at the state level with the Mock Trial team. She also takes pride in being part of Shanti Alliance. She plans to study psychology and vocal performance in the fall.

Sienna Temme is the daughter of Tanya and Thor Temme of Wailua. Sienna has attended Island School for five years and has been part of Varsity soccer and track teams.

Reyn Wells is the daughter of Vindi and Grant Wells of Kilauea. Reyn has attended Island School for five years. They participated in tennis and choir at school. Reyn has been sailing with the Nawiliwili yacht club for five years. They also have a passion for art, receiving two gold medals, one silver and many honorable mentions from Scholastic Art Awards. They also won third place in the Congressional Art Competition and had their art hung in the Senator’s office. Reyn is planning to attend Savannah College Of Art and Design to study architecture and sustainable design.

Show your Support

There are four basic areas where you can direct your giving: the Voyager Fund, Financial Aid, Endowment, and Special Project Funds. For more information on Island School’s Voyager Fund, see the follwing page.

A donation to our Financial Aid fund provides tuition assistance directly to our students and families. Currently 50% of our Voyagers receive financial aid.

Endowment gifts remain intact in perpetuity and are invested to grow and secure the financial future of the school. Endowment earnings create steady streams of income for the school.

Gifts may also be restricted for Special Purposes that meet school needs.

Ways to Give:

Cash or Cash Equivalents

Transactions are simple and afford immediate and direct tax benefits.

Matching Gifts

Many companies support their employees’ donations by matching the funds donated to charities of an employee’s choosing

Tribute Gifts may be made in honor or memory of a family memory, alumni, classmate, teacher or loved one.

Gifts in Kind include property, other than cash or securities, ranging from real estate to classroom supplies.

Planned Gifts often allow you to make larger gifts to the school than would otherwise be possible, adding to Island School’s long-term financial strength and meeting your philanthropic goal.

For instructions and more information, call the Development Office at (808)-246-0233 ext. 246

The Voyager Fund

The Voyager Fund provides direct, flexible funding to Island School in support of its educational mission. Funds are used wherever the school needs it most, and reach every Island School student. Below is a message from Interim Head of School, Vince Durnan:

Unrestricted giving to the Voyager Fund supports our most pressing needs. Success of the Voyager Fund is directly applied to the operating budget to support professional development, course development. Classroom instructional materials, facility maintenance, and so much more.

The Voyager Fund offers unrestricted support that benefits all areas of life at Island School – the people, programs, and priorities. My ask is that you make this kind of giving a priority in your family - not the only one, but somewhere near the top of the list, understanding the importance of providing the resources we need to turn ideas into action.

Our predecessors built an impressive record of making do with less, of raising the dollars they needed while keeping all expenses modest, of working one project, one event at a time And while that’s admirable and a source of community spirit, it’s also rare that a school of this quality does not also benefit from unrestricted annual giving from all its constituents.

Without diminishing the momentum and significance of our other fundraising events and initiatives, alongside our grantseeking efforts, let me also suggest that the Voyager Fund be understood as a basic barometer for the general well-being of Island School When that figure rises, our capacity to say yes to worthy projects will grow at the same time. Those dollars will be steered toward the areas of greatest need, to supplement tuition and other revenues, by those of us here who live in our financial realities up close.

The goal of the Voyager Fund is for each family to do what’s possible for them, and for everyone to do something, based on our different capacities. We succeed together. Sure, the total figure matters, but we’ll get there by building participation. Don’t underestimate for a minute the difference you can make. I promise you this can bring a huge positive change.

Traditions Start Early: Na Pua Keiki

Traditions start early at Island School, beginning at the pre-school level in Na Pua Keiki. A special tradition in Na Pua Keiki are the ʻOhana Projects. Throughout the year, families are invited onto campus to share their passion, their place of work, or something special to them with students. During ʻOhana Projects, our families become teachers for the day. Families are encouraged to be creative with their projects, which results in enthusiasm within the students.

The foundation of practice in Na Pua Keiki is to nurture a sense of self, family, community and school for every child. The ʻOhana Projects bring families on campus, which enhances the child’s sense of community and belonging, both at home and at school. It also allows students to take ownership of their educational experience, helping to develop the child’s sense of place in the world. As their families become part of the child’s school community, that child’s support system grows and strengthens.

Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, there have been 20 families on campus to share their passions with the Voyagers of Na Pua Keiki. Among these ʻOhana Projects were a visit to the Kauaʻi Police Department and a whale watching trip with Blue Ocean Adventures. The Shimada and Broad ʻOhana invited Na Pua Keiki to the Kauaʻi Police Department, where students got a tour of the command center. Students also got to meet the K-9 unit, look inside of cop cars, and talk with the Bomb Squad to learn all the different ways that the Kauaʻi Police Department keeps Kauaʻi safe.

The Schmutzer ʻOhana set up an activity to teach students about their passion, movie making. Students learned about the inner and outer workings of cameras and learned about similarities between cameras and their own eyes. The Yukimura ʻOhana shared their love of pizza making with Na Pua Keiki. During this ʻOhana Project, students customized their own pizza with a selection of new and familiar toppings. The Kimura ʻOhana took Na Pua Keiki whale watching along the Napali Coast with their company, Blue Ocean Adventures. This was a treat for parents and students alike, as whales, dolphins, and turtles all came out to play.

As our families become part of our school community, our students’ support systems and confidence build. The ‘Ohana Projects allow both family and school to come together to nurture our students. They engage both parents and students, and share different perspectives that would otherwise not be shared at school. Mahalo to all of the parents who have shared their passions and careers with our students this year!

And Finish Strong: High School Seniors

A beloved tradition for Island School seniors is their annual trip to the ancient Hawaiian fishing village, Nuʻalolo Kai. Nuʻalolo Kai is the home of a native burial site and is rich with history. This sight is only accessible by boat, and the Island School seniors class is among the few groups allowed to enter Nuʻalolo Kai each year. After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the day after their senior capstone presentations, the class of 2023 took their last voyage together.

On April 27th, the senior class, along with Head of School, Vince Durnan, High School Division Director, Nathaniel Evslin, and Hawaiian Studies Kumu, Sabra Kauka, all met up at the Port Allen Boat Harbor at 4:45am. Once they arrived, after a one hour boat ride from the harbor, students got a tour of the site by the Na Pali Coast ʻOhana, a stewardship organization dedicated to the preservation of the natural and cultural resources of the Na Pali Coast State Park. They then spent the day cleaning this sacred site, pulling invasive plants, and being present with one another for one of the last times as an Island School class.

The vast cliffs and bright blue ocean surrounded students from all sides as they worked, and the limited cell service allowed everyone to be present with one another and the beauty around them. In addition to allowing for students to bond together before their high school graduation, this annual excursion gives students the opportunity to give back to Kauaʻi in a meaningful way. As Island School class sizes continue to increase, this trip to Nuʻalolo Kai becomes more and more difficult to coordinate, as there

are landing restrictions regarding boat size. It is possible that this is one of the last senior classes to be able to experience this tradition at Island School, making it all the more meaningful.

Below is a reflection on this trip by Island School senior, Melelaʻi Beck:

The Nuʻalolo Kai senior trip was an awesome experience. On the boat ride in during the morning we got to witness bioluminescence lighting up the ocean which is generally rare for Hawaiʻi. Fortunately for us the surf was almost flat, providing us a safe and easy landing. Because of the awesome people that welcomed us to Nuʻalolo Kai, our class was able to have a deeper insight of the place. It wasnʻt simply a cool location to cruise and hang out, but once a home to many native people. We took responsibility for being allowed to be there by spending half the day cleaning out invasive plants and weeding the grave sight. After lunch, we got to enjoy the clean pristine water and snorkeled around the reef. Our senior class got to hear the stories of Nuʻalolo Kai and understand its significance. By the end of the trip, mixed feelings had settled upon us as the thought of leaving all these people as we advanced forward into the next stage of our lives entered our minds. Nuʻalolo Kai allowed us seniors to have a final, all together, bonding experience before we branch out into the world. It was truly an amazing opportunity that we will all be forever grateful for. Thank you Island School.

Making our Return

From February 21st through the 24th of this year, Island School celebrated Learning Voyage week. Learning Voyages began at Island School in the 20192020 academic year as a way to introduce alternative learning opportunities to Island School students. During Learning Voyage Week at Island School, elementary and middle school explore different parts of the island to partake in community service and learning opportunities. High School students can choose from a selection of different Learning Voyages offered by faculty members that allow them to get out of the classroom to do activities they wouldn’t normally do during a typical school day. Among the various Learning Voyages offered to high school students this year was a trip to Oʻahu for the high school chorus, where they would perform in the All State Choral Festival.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Island School’s longtime chorus instructor, Philip Steinbacher, would take his high school chorus group to Oʻahu every year to compete in this festival. This became a long awaited event each year that some students were able to participate in every year of their high school career.

In 2022, Ben Nause, who earned his BM in Music Education from Susquehanna University, returned to Island School to teach full time as the elementary school, middle school, and high school chorus instructor. Before attending graduate school at The University of Southern Mississippi, Nause worked with Steinbacher at Island School as a pianist in the 2019-2020 academic year. During this time, Nause attended the All State Choral Festival on Oʻahu and got a taste of what he would eventually experience when he ran his own chorus program two years later.

Nause has been successfully rebuilding Island School’s chorus program since August, which has been no easy feat, as this program had been dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic. In its first year back at Island School, the chorus program has held two very successful and well attended chorus concerts open to the public, and was able to once again take advantage of this wonderful off campus opportunity. Below is an account of this trip from Ben Nause,

Before the festival, all 10 students were able to arrive a day early to participate in some other exciting activities. Firstly, we were able to work with the Chorus Director at Hawaii Pacific University, Dr. Alec Schumacker. We brought over our own repertoire to sing for him while he gave artistic and choral singing suggestions for the music. This improved the students’ perception of the music and the importance of how style impacts singing. After leaving the university, we spent the afternoon at the Hawaii Museum of Art, where the students were able to explore the museum at their own pace. Lastly, we had a chorus dinner all together at Gen Korean BBQ at Ala Moana to instill a sense of bonding and community.

The day of the festival consisted of rehearsing and singing with the culmination. The All-State chorus had over 300 students from 12 different high schools and 3 islands. The guest conductor, Dr. Nicolle Andrews from The University of Redlands, pushed this group of young singers beyond their expectations. Many of the students have not sung in such a large group before. One of the pieces, “Can You Hear Me?” by Bob Chilcott, was performed with sign language by Fanny Yea, who is a deaf actress and performer. This, along with conversations about deaf culture, was enlightening not just for the students, but for myself as well. And finally at the end of the day, the students put on a powerful concert at Central Union Church. Despite the long day, the students were still singing in the van as we drove back to the hotel for the evening.

A New Spin on Old Traditions

This year, Island School reinstated a tradition that has been dormant in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, our Fall Festival, formerly known as Fall Round Up, returned to campus bigger and better than ever before! Both iterations of this event took place at the beginning of the school year, and acted as both a fundraiser and an opportunity for parents to come onto campus and meet their child’s teachers and classmates. Last fall, we saw this old tradition return in a new way.

When it was known as Fall Round Up, this event took place in the elementary school quad at the beginning of the school year. Each elementary school class, as well as middle and high school clubs, would set up booths selling food, games put on by the different classes, and, for a few years, even a pony ride around the reservoir. Funds generated by the food booths and activities would go towards off island travel, such as the annual 5th grade Big Island Trip, the 3rd grade trip to Oʻahu, and the high school chorus’s trip to Oʻahu to sing at the state festival.

Fall Round up was also the first on-campus, after-school event of the year. Students had the opportunity to get together with friends they hadn’t seen throughout the summer, and bond with new classmates. For months leading up to Fall Round Up, former elementary school PE teacher, Jackie Mierta, would teach her classes line dancing, the Cupid Shuffle, and square dancing in preparation for Fall Round Up. When the stereo would play these songs, almost the entire elementary school student body would rush to the middle of the quad to show off their dances.

Older students also had the opportunity to participate in Fall Round Up, by working at the different food and game booths that their classes and clubs put on. This gave older students the chance to take ownership of their trips and to be a part of this tradition that many of them fondly remember participating in as younger students.

Above: Fall Festival, 2022

Now, picture Fall Round Up, but at a school with a student body of nearly 500, including family and friends from other schools on the island. In the 20222023 school year, Fall Round Up took on a new life, as the Fall Festival. The Fall Festival was spearheaded by enthusiastic parent volunteers, Jesse Amorin, Erin Gushman, and Yunah Joseph, transformed into a new event while remaining true to the original meaning of the event.

Island School brought in carnival style rides, a food booth that sold out by the end of the night, a 30 foot climbing wall, and different game booths created by different clubs across campus. In order to accommodate more activities and many more people, the event was held on the soccer field behind the Wilcox Gym instead of in the elementary school quad. Each elementary school grade had a booth to help them raise money for off island travel throughout the year, as well as some high school clubs.

Our youngest Voyagers at Na Pua Keiki put on a Country Store which included dried bouquets, honey, and small toys, and completely sold out by the end of the evening.

Kindergarten sold luggage tags, and first and second grade had booths for carnival style games. Third grade manned a dunk tank, in which third grade teacher Mr. Haugh and high school division director Nathaniel Evslin were available to dunk, much to the amusement of students. Fourth grade raised money through the climbing wall, and fifth grade conducted a cake walk, which the fifth grade class has done at Fall Round Up for over a decade! All three middle school classes raised money by hosting a nerf gun shoot on different sized targets, a football throw and baseball throw. Different high school clubs had booths for food, ice cream, and rides. The funds raised at Fall Fest helped all of our classes and clubs fund their field trips this year!

In addition to raising funds for our classes, this year’s Fall Festival also allowed for our parents and friends to gather on campus. For many of our guests, this was the first time they’ve been to this part of campus, and for our new families, this was the first time they have spent an evening at Island School! Fall Festival was a great success this year, both in terms of raising money for travel as well as bringing our community together.

Below: Fall Round Up, 2018

Alumni Spotlight: Professional Bodyboarder, David Hubbard ‘00

During what grades did you attend Island School and what year did you graduate?

I attended Island School from Kindergarten through 12th grade, and graduated in 2000.

What is the biggest lesson you learned while attending Island School?

I think the interpersonal relations and community of Island School were big contributors to my developement. It really was a safe place to grow up, develop, and blossom in many ways.

What teachers or coaches made an impact on you during your time at Island School?

Sean Magoun was very understanding of my unique athletic discipline and came up with creative ways to support me. Kumu Sabra Kauka also showed open-mindedness in finding a way for me to earn more Hawaiiana credit while our small school was still developing curriculum. Kathy Jones, Adie Siebring, Aunty Mary, and many others were so down to earth and made learning interesting and, sometimes, even fun.

What did you do after graduating from Island School, and how did it lead you to where you are today?

I went on to earn a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from Chaminade University of Honolulu.

What do you do for a career?

I am a professional bodyboarder, and have been since graduating from Island School. About 10 years ago, my brother Jeff and I started our own bodyboarding company, “Hubboards.” So, besides competing and promoting our brand as athletes, we both have lots to do to run the business. In my free time, I give back to our community, mostly through pouring into the youth.

What was has been the most exciting moment of your career in the last 5 years?

Winning my 9th World Title (in Drop Knee Bodyboarding) was definitely a huge moment for me, because the title previous to that was about 5 yers prior. Another very exciting moment was winning both the Men’s and Drop Knee categories at the Maldives Pro last summer. The event was so wonderfully run, and with great waves. The Maldivian culture is quite different from ours, even though it is also an island nation. It was at times surreal, and is to-date the comepeitive highlight of my career.

Important Dates 2023-2024

July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Voyager Fund Campaign

August 7, 2023 First day of school grades 6-12

August 7-11, 2023 Pre-K Orientation Week

August 9, 2023 First day of school grades K-5

Fall 2023 Fall Festival

November 28, 2023 Giving Tuesday

January 26, 2024 Island School Birthday

March 2024 Annual Gala Auction

May 24, 2024 May Day

June 1, 2024 Graduation