ʻEkalesia

 

ʻEKALESIA CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM

As a non-denominational Christian school, Ka Pūnāwai Ola’s Christian Education program provides a foundation for haumāna to grow spiritually in Christ. All high school students attend ʻEkalesia Christian Education classes for one full quarter with each grade level focusing on group devotions (chapel), individual reflections, Hawaiian hymns, and scripture study in English and in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). Chapel and ‘Ekalesia are required for all students.

The curriculum embraces a blend of Hawaiian values and Christian parables found in the Hold Bible to build healthy dialogue around key spiritual concepts. Lessons are discussion-based versus lecture-based with enriching opportunities to ask questions, receive timely guidance, and engage in prayer/meditation in supportive environments.

At the piko, or center, of Ka Pūnāwai Ola’s Christian education curriculum is the core value of Aloha – one of the most important virtues Pauahi and The Savior possessed as servant leaders. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians affirms this truth: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Similarly in 1917, at a time of turmoil and transition for our Hawaiian people, Liliʻuokalani – our beloved Queen and Pauahi’s sister – reminded us, “To gain the kingdom of heaven is to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable. That is aloha.” It is in this spirit of aloha that our Christian Education program framework is presented.

ʻEKALESIA DEVOTIONS

The devotions program consists of regular forty-minute services that include Bible scripture readings, prayers, singing and short thought-provoking meditations. Devotions are held to assist students and faculty members to experience the presence of Jesus Christ here at Kamehameha Schools and in their daily lives. This is a time of worship and inspiration to bring the Bible to life. All students in grades 9-12 attend devotions approximately once every other week.

 

ʻEkalesia Christian Education Class – All high school students attend Christian Education classes for one full quarter.

  • Grade 9 Christian Education Class –  Aloha Ke Akua – Freshmen will establish their Christian kahua (foundation) by embracing “Aloha Ke Akua” or “God is love” (1 John 4:7-9). They will learn and recite Ka Pule a Ka Haku (The Lord’s Prayer) and Hoʻonanai I Ka Makua Mau (The Hawaiian Doxology). Haumāna will also deepen their understanding of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit through prayer and scripture study. Connecting to their core value of mālama, students will also take part in opportunities not only to search inward, but also to reach outward. As haumāna embark on their high school journeys in the way of the Master, the emphasis will be on planting seeds of faith that open students’ hearts and minds to Ke Akua’s unconditional love (John 3: 16).  WEO ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: “Hilinaʻi I Ke AKua– Trust in God.”
  • Grade 10 Christian Education Class – Hōʻihi Aku, Hōʻihi Mai – Sophomores will build upon their love for God by exploring “Hōʻihi Aku, Hōʻihi Mai: Reverence and Respect for Godʻs Love in Myself and Others” (Psalm 5:7-8). As students acknowledge Godʻs love in their lives, they will learn more about their divine worth through topics such as self-respect, overcoming peer pressure, and emulating Christ (Matthew 5) through positive pilina (relationships). Classes will consist of faithbuilding reflections and activities that not only strengthen haumāna’s confidence in and love for the Savior, but also affirm their kulana (role) as children of a loving Heavenly Father. The emphasis will be on helping students to avoid being victims of indecision as they transition from
    childhood to young adulthood in God’s love. WEO ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: “Mōhala i ka wai ka maka o ka pua– Unfolded by the water are the faces of the flowers.”
  • Grade 11 Christian Education Class – Noʻu Iho Ke Kuleana – Juniors will accept their callings to manifest God’s aloha by affirming “Noʻu Iho Ke Kuleana: Understanding My Privilege and Responsibility as a Christlike Servant Leader” (John 14:15). As students share their ethical perspectives on moral dilemmas and mature in their understanding of choice and consequences, they will also have the opportunity to explore and discuss faith concepts of sin, grace, redemption, and salvation. In preparation for Christlike servant leadership their senior year, the emphasis will be on reflecting upon their experiences, life lessons, moral agency, and God’s love to strengthen their roles and responsibilities as ethical stewards of Pauahi’s legacy. WEO ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: “Lawe i ka maʻalea a kūʻonoʻono – Take wisdom and make it deep.”
  • Grade 12 Christian Education Class – Hoʻomau I Ke Aloha Pono – Seniors will go forth and serve by demonstrating “Hoʻomau I Ke Aloha Pono: Persisting in Christlike Servant Leadership” (Galatians 5:13). Through culminating projects such as “Senior Service Day,” students will engage in authentic discipleship that allows them to share God’s love in paying the gift of education forward to their communities. As haumāna study the parable of The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and look to the Lord for direction in their post-secondary plans, they will bear the good fruits that were cultivated over the past four years and plant new seeds of faith and good character that will regenerate the cycle of servant leadership in their naʻau beyond Kamehameha. WEO ʻŌlelo Noʻeau:  “Nānā i Ke Kumu – Look to the Source.”

 

Ekalesia Teachers

  • Mrs. Ann Young, Kamehameha Elementary School
    Mrs. Young has the kuleana of nurturing Christ’s love into our students of the elementary school.  She loves on our students from grades K-6.  She oversees the Christian Education program for 752 elementary students.
  • Coach Vince Acohido, Kamehameha Middle School
    Coach Vince has the kuleana of 650 middle schoolers and their continued growth into the character of Christ.
  • Mrs. Kaulananāpua (Kaʻauwai) Tongamoa (KS ’08)
    Mrs. Tongamoa will have the kuleana of teaching Grade 10 ʻEkalesia classes.
  • Mr. Barrett Awai (KS ’88)
    Mr. Awai will have the kuleana of teaching Grade 12 ʻEkalesia classes.