VOYAGER 2026 Summer Magazine
Aloha Mai Island School ʻOhana, What a wonderful 2025-2026 school year we had together! We experienced so much to be proud of, and I know we will continue to grow as we enter the 2026-2027 school year, Island School’s 50th anniversary! We opened our doors in 1997 with 12 students, and have grown to nearly 450 students in 2026. While we have grown and changed over the years, we continue to honor our history and foundation through traditions new and old. When I look back at his past school year, I marvel at all that we accomplished together! • •
•
First year in our new Nā Pua Keiki (NPK) woodshop Expansion of Cross-School Partnerships for NPK with: Upper School Science Olympiad Team; mini Spanish lessons from US students; Learning activities with US ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi students; PE class designed and run by middle school girls PE class Second year in partnership with KCC and Federal Student Workers that assist PreK with
• • • • • • • • • • •
20 hours of support a week First on-campus Gala - A Voyage Under the Stars raises highest gross and net revenue for financial aid program First graduating seniors with 4 years of Hawaiian language study (with 5 students earning the Seal of Biliteracy) Island School led protocol at community cultural events including Makahiki Games 5th grade and MS groups both placed 2nd in the all-island Makahiki competitions Ola Ka ʻĪ at Kukui Grove: Island School students closed Hawaiian Language Month Celebration First full year of making in the Makerspace for Middle and High School Robotics represented Hawaiʻi in Governors Cup and competition in Canada Updated Daily Schedule centering student learning across whole school Mobile-phone-use-free campus during the school day for PK-12 students Grade level deans established in Grades 6 -12 Immersive Study Trips - Senior Nuʻalolo Kai Trip; 8th Grade Hawaiʻi Island Trip; Inter-island College Tour; Nā Leo Hou All State Chorus Trip, National History Day, Science Olympiad/ Fair, Model UN State experiences on Oʻahu; Robotics Competitions on Oʻahu, Washington,
• • •
• •
• • • • • •
DC, and Canada. Ho’okupu (community service) /Ed-venture in Middle School, frequent PK-5 field trips, and Elementary School overnights 5th Grade 4-day study on Oʻahu, including a mural immersive that began with a visiting artist and creating 2 murals in the ES quad 2nd Grade inspired, Spanish, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi translated text, and Upper School Art students created original designs for a book in honor of Sabra Kauka; 100+ people worked on this book presented in three languages. New roof on Frear May 16, 2026 designated as Kumu Sabra Kauka Day by the County of Kauaʻi in honor of her 31 years of service at Island School and all her other remarkable accomplishments within the Kauaʻi Community Wilcox Gym Fans installed KIF Coach of the Year awarded to Island School’s Girls Soccer Coach (parent and board member) - Colby Ayonon ’01 Wrestling returns and we have a KIF individual wrestling champion 1000+ attended Hōʻike with heartfelt sharing of learning from grades PK-12 Participation in the inaugural season of Surfing, with 2 athletes competing at the state level First girls soccer team selected to complete at
• • • • • •
the state level for Island School KIF mixed-paddling team league champions KIF girls track team league champions 113 AP Exams taken by 110 students in 10th-12th grades 118 acceptances to 89 different schools in 22 different states and 3 countries for our class of 2026 $1,200,000 awarded in scholarships and grants for college to the Class of 2026 Hundreds of hours of National Honor Society peer tutoring
and the list could go on and on… We’ve had a great year together, and I look forward to the year ahead and our 50th anniversary! See the final page of this magazine for a calendar of upcoming events. Together,
Nancy Nagramada, P’29 Head of School n.nagramada@ischool.org
Academic Achievements 2025-2026 National History Day
Robotics
On January 22, Island School hosted our schoolwide National History Day Fair, an annual event that occurs across schools nationwide. Every Island School student in 7th and 8th grade spent months working on their research papers and projects highlighting events that connected to this year’s topic, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” Students wrote research papers, and then created either poster projects, documentary videos, websites, or performances to showcase their research. From this schoolwide showcase, 52 Middle School students qualified for the Kauaʻi District Fair on March 7th.
Island School’s Robotics team had a year of great achievements! The team, made up of middle and high school students Spencer Brosius ’31, Sean Lottermoser ’27, Dylan Leitenberg ’27, and Phoenix Ma ’27, participated in many competitions on island, across the mainland, and internationally.
From the Kauaʻi District Fair, held at Kauaʻi Community College and featuring students from across the island, 19 Island School students qualified for the Hawaiʻi State History Day Fair on Oʻahu. At the Hawaiʻi History Day State Fair, Island School students came home with great achievements! With his documentary “Rejected by Race: The Struggles of Chinese Immigrants in America,” Logan Ing ’31 won first place in Junior Individual Documentaries, qualifying for the national competition. He also won the Associated Chinese University Women Award for an outstanding project in Chinese or Chinese-American history. With his documentary “Soaring Into the Jet Age,” Nathaniel Knickel ’30 came home with the Martin F. Wurst award for an outstanding project related to transportation and machinery and its impact on history.
In December, Island School’s robotics team competed in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge Hawai‘i League Tournament. Their success led to the Hawaiʻi State Championship on Oʻahu. At this highly competitive, two-day competition, the Voyagers earned second place among more than 5,000 teams worldwide. In recognition of their exceptional performance at this tournament, the Voyagers were selected to represent Hawaiʻi at the Governor’s Cup in Washington, D.C.. This National Robotics Tournament brought together the top high school teams from all 50 states in a competition celebrating innovation, engineering, and teamwork. The Voyagers delivered an outstanding performance throughout this competition, ranking between 2nd and 8th place. Their success led to yet another invitation to “Load Across the Globe,” a global robotics collaboration program that connects teams worldwide to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and build international partnerships. The team ended this season at the Canada Cup Niagara Premier Event, which took place in Ontario and brought together top robotics teams from around the world.
Athletic Achievements 2025-2026 At Island School, we believe that athletics is an important component of our program to develop a well-rounded child. Athletics teach our students discipline, patience, respect, resilience, humility, and responsibility. In the 2025-2026 school year, 144 high school students participated in Island School Athletics. The following are some of their accomplishments, • • •
•
KIF Team Champions in both Mixed Paddling and Girls Track & Field KIF Individual Champion for Wrestling - Nohi Armitage ’29 State Championship Qualifiers for Cross Country, Girls Soccer, Girls and Mixed Paddling teams, Swimming, Surfing, Track and Field for high jump, shot put, 100M hurdles, and the 4x100 relay Coach of the Year Girls Soccer - Colby Ayonon
This year, we had 33 KIF All-Stars in • Cross Country (Cora Rosenthal ’29, Eva Rose Rapp, Khyler Greenleaf ’28) • Girls Volleyball (Madelynn Halladay ’26) • Boys Basketball (Matthew Dobashi ’26) • Girls Basketball (Breyanna Alfonso ’28) • Boys Soccer (Luka Perozo ’26) • Girls Soccer (Chloe Ayonon ’26, Kolohaiaheahe Kuhaulua ’27, Sydney Manibog ’27, Nayah Cornell ’27, Cruz Ayonon ’29)
• • • •
•
Swimming (Aylwen Fife ’29, Hannah Hovland ’26, Sean Lottermoser ’27, Sophia Mann ’26, Jessie Young ’29) Wrestling (Nohi Armitage ’29) Mixed Paddling (Mehana Dameron ’28, Max Evslin ’26, Ruby Swartz ’26) Track & Field (Hallie Gill ’29, Lindsey Jona ’27, Avani Keahiolalo ’27, Kolohaiaheahe Kuhaulua ’27, Sydney Manibog ’27, Grace McAnarney ’29, Saebrie Pegeder ’26, Cora Rosenthal ’29, Sadie Stiglmeier ’27, Kade McCracken ’26) and Girls Flag Football (Kolohaiaheahe Kuhaulua ’27, Cora Rosenthal ’29)
These accomplishments reflect the tremendous commitment of our student athletes, coaches, families and supporters. We are incredibly proud of our student athletes, and can’t wait for another successful season!
Hōʻike 2026: Ua O Each year, our school-wide Hōʻike honors student learning through song and dance. Mele and hula are chosen for specific grade levels to reflect the lessons, experiences, and achievements of that class. This year, our goal was to do so while also honoring Kumu Sabra Kauka for her 31 years of dedication to teaching Hawaiian Studies at Island School. Mele and hula were selected carefully by our Hōʻike Committee, led by Kanānāikahaku Kuhaulua, Joey Palupe, and Joyce Sun, to both reflect the achievements of our haumāna from this year, and celebrate the legacy of Kumu Sabra Kauka. A decades-long tradition at Island School, every fourth grade class takes an overnight trip into the mountains of Kōkeʻe to reflect on their year together and visit sites they have learned about in the classroom throughout their Hawaiian history and culture unit. To honor this tradition, our fourth grade class performed a favorite mele of Kumu Kauka’s, “Kōkeʻe,” composed by Dennis Kamakahi. Every year, our Middle School participates in Makahiki Games, hosted by Kūmano i Ke Ala. This year, many of our Middle School students advanced to compete at the island-wide competition! To honor that experience, our sixth and seventh graders came together to perform “Ka Wā Makahiki,” composed by Kealiʻi and Kalehua Puchalski, which honors the arrival of Makahiki season through song and dance. On their class trip to Hawaiʻi Island, our eighth grade students had the special opportunity to meet the composer of their Hōʻike mele, Kainani Kahaunaele. Aunty Kainani shared stories with the class from her time as a waterwoman aboard the Makaliʻi, a Hawaiian voyaging canoe, and how she wrote this mele, “E Mau Ē,” to honor Papa Mau Piailug. Students practiced their hula every day of their four-day trip to Hawaiʻi Island, and once for Aunty Kainani after hearing her stories. Throughout the school year, our Sophomore class studied military history in Hawaiʻi, and the movement to protect Kahoʻolawe. To honor those lessons, the class performed “Mele Kahoʻolawe” composed by Harry Kūnihi Mitchell.
Ola Loko I Ke Aloha
Love Gives Life Within As a special way to honor Kumu Kauka, Nā Pua Keiki opened the Hōʻike program with Kuʻu Kumu, “My Beloved Kumu,” in a performance that filled the Wilcox Gym with sounds of awe from family members. The second grade mele, “Aloha ʻAina o Kauaʻi,” which represents beauty, pride, and enduring love for Kauaʻi, was chosen to honor how Kumu Kauka embodies this and exemplifies it for our students. Other mele were chosen because they are favorites of Kumu Kauka’s, like fifth grade’s ʻUlupalakua, which is a playful and cheery ode to the upcountry slopes of Maui, and the twelfth grade boys’ Haʻa, which was gifted to Island School by Hanalei WannKeliʻihoʻomalu from the class of 2022. To close the program, the entire school performed “ʻŌiwi Ē” together, which is a mele that celebrates Hawaiian identity, legacy, strength, pride, and culture, and was dedicated to Kumu Kauka as a way to thank and acknowledge her presence as a guiding light and pillar within the Island School community for the last 31 years.
Celebrating Sabra Kauka At Hōʻike this year, Kumu Kauka was presented with a gift from the Island School community, Finding Kumu, a book that was created as a collaboration between the second grade, Upper School language programs, and our Fine Arts department. At the beginning of the year, while Amelia Carter taught about narrative writing and storytelling to her second grade students, students came up with a story about searching for their beloved Kumu Kauka all across the island. The story grew into a great collaboration with students in our Upper School. Kanānāikahaku Kuhaulua’s Upper School ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi classes translated the story into ʻŌlelo, Paula Abbott’s AP Spanish class translated to Spanish, and Derrick Little’s Upper School Art class created the artwork depicted in the book. In total, over 100 members of the Island School community participated in making this project a reality for our beloved Kumu Sabra Kauka, and kept it a secret all year long. The book was presented to Kumu Kauka on stage at the end of our Hōʻike program.
31 Years at Island School Celebrations continued into the last weeks of school, as Kumu Kauka’s grandson graduated from high school at Island School, and in the week after students went on summer break Island School staff, faculty, Board, family, and other special guests came together to celebrate Kumu Kauka through a retirement pāʻina for her. A few guests gave short speeches to honor Kumu Kauka and the story of her legacy at Island School, including Sean Magoun, Director of Campus Operations. Sean began his career at Island School the same year that Kumu Kauka did, 31 years ago, and shared how instrumental Kumu Kauka was in choosing our mascot, the Voyager. Members of the Nā Pali Coast ʻOhana, of which Kumu Kauka is a member as well, spoke, including Aliana Ho. Aliana graduated from Island School in 2018, and shared a story about watching Kumu Kauka release shearwaters with [ORG NAME] as a student, and then working with this organization as an adult when Kumu Kauka brought a group of Island School students just a few years ago. Island School Ōlelo Hawaiʻi teachers Kanānāikahaku Kuhaulua and Joey Palupe both shared about the importance of Kumu Kauka’s legacy and their gratitude at getting to continue that legacy at Island School because of the work done by Kumu Kauka to create it over the last 31 years.
Competing at the Next Level: Collegiate Athletes Island School students excel both academically and athletically, while participating in extracurriculars and community service opportunities throughout their years in high school. This year, 100% of the students in the Class of 2026 are continuing their studies at colleges and universities across the country and internationally, and four of them are continuing their athletic careers in college. These students have exhibited great leadership and teamwork skills throughout their time in high school, and have worked hard to achieve their academic and athletic goals. As these student-athletes prepare to enter the next phase of their voyage, they take with them the lessons they have learned while competing for Island School.
Chloe Ayonon will play soccer for the University of Nevada, Reno to study Business Management.
Elijah Enoka will be moving to Rome to row at Rome City Institute to study International Business.
2026 achievements: KIF All-Star in soccer. Part of the State Championship qualifying team.
2026 achievements: KIF team Championship for the mixed team.
Hannah Hovland will swim for Willamette University in Salem, Oregon to study Psychology.
Ruby Swartz will row for Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California to study Kinesiology.
2026 achievements: KIF AllStar for swimming.
2026 achievements: KIF All-Star in paddling, KIF team championships for the mixed team, State Championships qualifier for both girls and mixed paddling teams.
If intereested in athletics at Island School, contact Athletic Director Jerry Jona at j.jona@ischool.org
INTRODUCING THE Chloe Ayonon Finn Beebe Lincoln Bowers Matthew Dobashi Madelyn Eddy Shayla Edgerton Elijah Kamua Enoka Kealohilaniokamaile Eu-Parziale Max Evslin Lilly Frazer Lily Glick Mars Grossmann Madelynn Halladay Joseph Harris Victoria Anne Harris Maile Summer Havas Helena Hazelton Hannah Hovland Mia Noelani Pomroy Javellana Daisy Keller Preslie Lanini Kainoa Love Isadora Luz Kamryn Mackey Sophia Mann Kade McCracken Araiyan McDonald Finnegan McTernan Lea Meyers Dillon Murphy Teagan Newhard Saebrie Pegeder Luka Perozo Eli Racpan Sol Schmidt Luna Isabella Schmidt Kailea Sokau-Masulit Ruby Swartz Pikomanawakūpono Vaughan Ilihia Ventura Mika Ventura Haden Wilson-Wyle
Class of University of Nevada, Reno University of Utah Brigham Young University University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa Boston College San Diego State University Rome City Institute University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa University of Nevada, Reno University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa University of California, Las Angeles University of Southern Maine Verto Education Study Abroad - Prague University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa Oregon State University University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa University of San Diego Willamette University Kauaʻi Community College University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa California Polytechnic State University University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa Verto Education Study Abroad - Prague Verto Education Study Abroad - Prague Whittier College Grand Canyon University University of Hawaiʻi, Hilo University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa University of California, Davis University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa University of California, Santa Barbara California Polytechnic State University University of San Diego Nothern Arizona University University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa Tulane University Chaminade University Saint Mary’s College California Polytechnic State University University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa University of Notre Dame University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa & Georgia Tech
2026 • • • •
This year our seniors received 188 acceptance letters to 89 different schools across the country. These acceptances spanned 22 states and 3 countries. Our seniors will continue their educational journey across the nation, heading to California, Oregon, Arizona, Hawaiʻi, Nevada, Utah, Massachusetts, Maine, Indiana, and all the way to Rome and Prague. Our seniors are interested in a variety of majors, ranging from Business, Biology, Kinesiology, and Mechanical Engineering to Creative Writing, Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Sciences, and Architectural Engineering. In total, this senior class was offered over $1,200,000 in scholarships and grant money per year from all of their schools of acceptance.
SENIOR AWARDS & RECOGNITION Island School Wayfinder Spirit Award Winners: Lily Glick and Mika Ventura This award is given to two graduating seniors who embody the core elements of our school mission Educating the mind. Inspiring the heart. Preparing Kauaʻi youth to lead lives of significance. These students demonstrated across their years at Island School academic excellence, care and compassion for others, and a readiness to make a positive impact on the world around them. Voyager Spirit Award Winners: Chloe Ayonon and Annie Harris This award is given to two graduating seniors who distinguished themselves in their leadership within the student body as well as through service to the broader community. These students consistently met and even exceeded community membership expectations and in the areas of the eight Hawaiian values we hold as core: hō‘ihi (respect), haʻaheo (pride with humility), kuleana (personal responsibility), ʻimi naʻauao (seeking wisdom), mālama (stewardship), lōkahi (harmony & unity), kūlia (achievement), and ho‘omau (perseverance). Founders’ Spirit Award Winners: Joseph Harris and Hannah Hovland This award is given to two graduating seniors in honor of the seven women who founded Island School in 1977, who demonstrated the essential traits the founders possessed to bring their vision into reality — care for others, creativity, inspiring leadership, long-term commitment to the Island School ʻohana, persistence in the face of challenges, appropriate humility and confidence along with good will and good humor. Island School 13+ Crew: Chloe Ayonon, Matthew Dobashi, Max Evslin, Lily Glick, Madelynn Halladay, Joseph Harris, Annie Harris, Mia Javellana, Kainoa Love, Kamryn Mackey, Saebrie Pegeder The 13+ Crew is a special group that has attended Island School for 13 or more years from PK/K through 12th Grade. While for all of our students, it is true - Once a Voyager, Always a Voyager - we are honored to celebrate this distinctive crew of students and their families who have been a part of the Island School ‘Ohana for their entire educational voyage thus far.
Alumni Reunion 2026 This year, Island School hosted a celebratory lunch to honor and welcome the Class of 2026 into the Island School Alumni Association. In attendance were alumni spanning from the graduating class of 1998 to 2023.
Island School Alumni Association Stay tuned for upcoming Alumni events in the 2026-2027 school year! See page 19 to veiw a list of celebratory events ongoing throughout our 50th anniversary year. As alumni, we invite you to celebrate and enjoy these with us throughout the year.
Stay in touch! Send your updates to development@ischool.org Update your contact info by scanning the QR code below:
Supporting Island School today. Sustaining Island School for the next 50 Years. The Annual Voyager Fund Supporting today’s students
The Annual Voyager Fund provides immediate, unrestricted support for Island School’s highest priorities each year. Gifts help bridge the gap between tuition and the true cost of an Island School education, allowing us to invest in exceptional faculty, innovative programs, financial aid, arts, athletics, and the everyday experiences that make an Island School education so distinctive. Every gift, of every size, has an immediate impact on our students and strengthens our school community.
Scan the following QR code to make your annual gift to Island School!
The Endowment
Investing in the next 50 years and beyond An endowment is a permanent investment in Island School’s future. Endowment gifts are carefully invested, and a portion of the annual earnings is used to support Island School’s mission, while preserving the principal so it continues to benefit generations of students. By growing our endowment, we strengthen the school’s long-term financial sustainability, provide stability through changing times, and ensure that future generations of students have access to the same transformative educational experience that defines Island School today.
Scan the QR code to learn more about the Endowment, or to make a donation supporting the future of Island School!
A GIFT IN ANY AMOUNT MAKES A DIFFERENCE We are honored to be a nonprofit that you choose to support! Giving back to Island School can be done in many ways.
MORE WAYS TO GIVE Online
Wire Transfer
Visit ischool.org/community/giving to make a
Contact the Advancement Office at
one time or recurring gift
development@ischool.org for instructions
By Mail
Kōkua (Gift in kind)
Send a check payable to Island School,
Donate goods or services
Attn: Advancement
Appreciated Securities Donate stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. Contact the Advancement Office at
Matching Gifts Double your donation! Check if your employer will match your donation.
development@ischool.org for instructions and
Planned Gifts or Bequests
to provide contact information for your gift.
Include Island School in your estate plans or bequests
Volunteering
The Island School ʻOhana Association plans community events for students and families, faculty and staff appreciation activities throughout the year, and more. Email isoa@ischool.org to get involved.
Island School turns 50! This year, Island School is celebrating our 50th birthday! Stay tuned for special events and celebrations throughout the year. We hope you will join us in honoring our growing legacy.
Mark your calendars:
2026-2027
Opening Assembly & First Island School ʻOhana Association Meeting
Island School’s 50th Birthday Celebration Weekend
Island School’s 50th Anniversary Disco & Denim Carnival
Island School Gala
September 19, 2026
May 21, 2027
50th Day of School Celebration
Commencement Class of 2027
August 14, 2026
October 22, 2026
March 12-14, 2027 March 13, 2027
Hōʻike
May 29, 2027
3-1875 Kaumualiʻi Highway Līhuʻe, HI 96766 Phone: 808-246-0233 Email: info@ischool.org
Keep in touch!
Facebook Instagram YouTube LinkedIn @islandschool_voyagers @IslandSchoolVoyagersKauai @IslandSchoolHI Island School Kauaʻi