Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 3 – Kumu Grace
December 2023 to January 2024

This project was a chance to revisit a teacher previously worked with, but also a brand new group of 3rd graders. Although the project was mostly similar to the previous year, the teacher was able to make some small changes to increase the quality of the work and make the overall process better. These new students had a wonderful time creating this project.

Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 3 – Aloha ‘Āina Innovation Academy
April 2023

Third grade students were challenged to complete a green screen animation project. They spent some time drawing a realistic self portrait avatar. In that process, they followed different art techniques and also followed guidelines in order to, later, animate those drawings. They used an iPad app to help them animate their drawings. They learned and included some basic Hawaiian introductions to create a script that used prompts for a poem about themselves and where they come from. They made several attempts at recording those scripts, getting better and better after every try. Choosing their best recordings, they gathered backgrounds to go with them to ultimately create a project using a green screen app. They also had to edit those projects, cleaning up any mistakes and making their project more entertaining.

L4 Class

L6 Class

L7 Class

L8 Class

Kipapa Elementary GR 3
September 2022

In this project, a whole grade level was introduced to animation and green screen. With limited time, they were able to put together simple projects that incorporated art, when they drew their self portrait emoji avatars. In addition, they wrote their own scripts, in which they had to engage with their families in learning how they got their names. To complete their projects, they used two separate iPad apps to animate their drawings, record their scripts, and then used backgrounds of their choosing to finish with green screen.

Kīpapa Elementary GR 3 – Summer Hub
June 2021

During the summer, students had a lot of fun learning new skills, more about themselves, and sharing some things about their background with their classmates. They drew emoji self portraits and then used iPads and an app to animate them. They created scripts that incorporated Hawaiian language, research and writing. They recorded those scripts using headsets and microphones, practicing how to do a quality recording. Finally, they used a green screen app to put together a project with a variety of background images and edited it.

Blanch Pope School GR 4

“Who I Am”

June 2026

In this project, students explored the cultural significance of the ipu (gourd) as a symbol of identity, knowledge, and connection in Hawaiian culture. Students then completed a “Who I Am” ipu activity by reflecting on personal information, including their name, where they are from, their age, and their hobbies. They learned to introduce themselves using simple Hawaiian language phrases before sharing their introductions with their classmates.

Waimānalo Elementary GR 4

“Ahupuaʻa Project”

May 2026

In this project, students deepened their understanding of Hawaiian culture by researching their ahupuaʻa and sharing moʻolelo through digital media. Kumu and haumāna went on huakaʻi and engaged in place-based learning in Waimānalo. Building on this, Ulu Aʻe Transitions staff helped them create self-portraits and animated digital work and the project culminated in student pieces that expressed their growing cultural identity and connection to home.

Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 4

“Moʻolelo Project”

September to December 2025

For this project, fourth-grade haumāna at Kāneʻohe Elementary learned art and animation skills to animate self-portraits and retell a moʻolelo from Papahana Kuaola. In the second quarter, they took a Geology Bus Tour of sites in their ahupuaʻa where Papahana Kuaola staff shared the stories. Students then worked in small groups, using iPads to record and assemble their moʻolelo into a digital media project.

Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 4 – “Hoʻala Pūʻahuʻula”
June – July 2025

Fourth grade haumāna at Kāneʻohe Elementary explored the moʻolelo behind Hoʻala Pūʻahuʻula, a school oli written by Wali and Dr. Donna Ann Kamehaʻikū Camvel. Guided by kumu and community partners, students studied the histories of ʻili mentioned in the oli through huakaʻi and discussions, deepening their connection to the place. With support from Ulu Aʻe Transitions, students created an animated video featuring their artwork, photos, and videos to share what they learned. The final product serves as a school-wide resource to teach the meaning behind the oli, words, and motions – fostering belonging, creative expression, and technological skills rooted in ʻāina-based learning.

Waimānalo Elementary GR 4 – “Ahupuaʻa Project”
September 2024

4th grade students at Waimānalo Elementary explored the ahupuaʻa system by learning about its three main divisions: Uka (mountains), Kula (plains), and Kai (ocean). They illustrated and photographed the various resources found in each area, deepening their understanding of how each division contributes to a sustainable system. As part of the project, students created self-portraits, which they animated using green screen technology. They also wrote and recorded scripts to explain what they learned, showcasing their knowledge through a creative, multimedia presentation.

Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 5

“Animal Project”

February 2026

After conducting deep-dive animal research and writing scripts, students partnered with Ulu Aʻe Transitions to create self-portraits. Using digital animation tools and their own recorded voiceovers, they transformed these portraits into talking avatars to present their findings. The project was intentionally designed to be student-directed, allowing the 5th graders to take full ownership of their workflow.

Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 5 – “Careers”
January – February 2025
Kumu Anela

This 5th-grade project invited students to explore the question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Through research, writing, digital media, and art, students investigated careers and how they could give back to their kaiāulu (community). Guided by Kumu Anela, they engaged in circle discussions and reflection activities grounded in HĀ practices, with an emphasis on belonging and place. The project helped students explore their interests, broaden their perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of how their future paths can serve others.

Suenaga D5

Morris D7

Tada D8

Kīpapa Elementary GR 5 – “I am From”
December 2024 – January 2025
Kumu Nakamura, Suenaga, Morris, Tada

This fun project was completed very quickly. Keeping it simple and focusing on completing a poetry technique, students were able to share a little more about themselves with each other. In addition to project components we used in the past, students were able to take pictures around their school and use them as their backgrounds. The students especially enjoyed it when they could watch their classmates’ projects.

Waimānalo Elementary GR 5 – “Aloha Tree”
Fall 2024

In this project, 5th grade students explored the word and meaning of “Aloha.” The aim was to increase pilina in the classroom between kumu and haumana and expand literacy skills through speaking and listening, critical thinking, and writing in partnership with Ulu Aʻe Transitions. Students’ hope was to inspire other students to be model examples of Aloha and pass it on to others

Kailua Elementary GR 5
April 2023

This 5th grade class was going through some challenges. This project was used to allow students a way to share about themselves in an alternative, fun, and creative way. They used art, animation, writing of scripts based on a poem template, and iPad apps that helped to pull together a green screen project. Although this project was built and created in a very similar way to others we have helped to produce, the main goal was to help to develop pilina (meaningful connection) among the students and also with the teacher. It allowed them to open up a little more in a safe way and helped with all the relationships in the classroom.

Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 5 –Aloha ‘Āina Innovation Academy
March 2023

Grade 5 students did a unique project. They dove deeper into the Hawaiian language and used it to introduce themselves and share a little about themselves. They also took a multiple intelligence domain survey in which they discovered a little more about themselves and what they could be successful in, as they mature. Many also included background images that were found on a copyright free resource. In addition, they used a little more advanced editing techniques while creating their final projects. Although the foundation of their projects were similar to others we have supported in the past, this class showed how they could vary it by simply changing the content they focused on.

Heʻeia GR 5 Davis Feb 2022 Red

Heʻeia GR 5 Davis Feb 2022 Yellow

Heʻeia Elementary GR 5
November 2021 – February 2022

In this project, grade 5 students spent a lot of time researching careers they were interested in. They looked at various aspects, including wage, schooling needed, other skills needed, characteristics that would make them successful, reasons why they chose this career, etc. In addition to creating and animating quality avatars, they wrote scripts to record that were based on their research. Later they matched personal images and videos that they gathered to enhance their projects, using green screen apps.

Enchanted Lake Elementary — Summer Enrichment 2026, GR 1–6

“Mural Project”

June – July 2026

The mural project connected students to place through visual storytelling, encouraging students in grades 1–6 to reflect on their relationship with Kailua and Enchanted Lake Elementary. Students learned moʻolelo of Kailua, participated in guided meditation, and created drawings that expressed what they envisioned when they thought of their community and school. These reflections served as the inspiration for the collaborative mural. Throughout the creative process, students engaged in purposeful learning, practiced the habits of leadership, and contributed to a lasting representation of their connection to place. Summer Enrichment students had the opportunity to help paint the mural, and the project concluded with a hōʻike celebrating their creativity, collaboration, and shared accomplishment.

Ben Parker Elementary GR 5 & 6

“Ben Parker Elementary Mural Project”

September – October 2025

The mural project connected students to place through visual storytelling inspired by the moʻolelo of Kāneʻohe and Heʻeia. Guided by the school’s commitments to “Lead, Learn, and Grow,” students designed and created a mural that reflects their connection to ʻāina, strengthens pilina, reinforces HĀ values, and embodies the vision of He Alakaʻi Kākou – We Are All Leaders. Through the process, students practiced leadership, engaged in meaningful learning, and contributed to a lasting visual representation of their collective growth.

Lāʻie Elementary & Kahuku High School

“Hukilau”

March 2026

Sixth-grade students from Lāʻie Elementary participated in a Makahiki cultural event featuring traditional Hawaiian games that strengthened ʻike kūpuna, teamwork, and connection to culture. A Hukilau at Hukilau Beach Park brought together 60 sixth graders and 30 Kahuku High School students to build kaikaina-kaikuaʻana relationships that foster belonging and maoli ola (well-being). Guided by Lāʻie kūpuna, this initiative created a piko of connection to ʻāina and community, serving as a proactive, culturally grounded response to challenges students face transitioning into intermediate school.

King Intermediate GR 7–8 Aloha ‘Āina Innovation Academy

“Moʻolelo Murals”

November – December 2024

Inspired by Queen Liliʻuokalani, students from King Intermediate Innovation Academy came together to create visual representations of their experiences in ʻāina from various sites across the Koʻolaupoko. Students collaborated in combining their sketches to feature native flora and fauna, and butterflies to represent the Queen and her mission: “to be resilient with aloha.” This mural also featured her words, “Never cease to act because you may fail. The true secret is to know your own worth,” one of the students’ favorite quotes.

King Intermediate GR 7–8 Aloha ‘Āina Innovation Academy

Kalo Zentangle, Mahiʻai lesson, Moʻolelo Murals

Fall (September – November) 2024

In this project, students created projects that help to strengthen their identity and HĀ achievements in their school community and beyond. Through this project, pilina increased in the classroom and literacy skills were strengthened through art and mala projects with the intention of inspiring students to grow and reach their potential.

King Intermediate GR 7–8 Aloha ‘Āina Innovation Academy — “Self Portrait”
August 2026

Students created self-portrait work with Ulu Aʻe Transitions. The project 1-pager is linked in the resources column.

King Intermediate GR 7-8 Aloha ‘Āina Innovation Academy – “Moʻolelo Project”
April – May 2025
Kumu Sarah & Justine

Historically, Hawaiian stories were passed down orally, with “lessons” embedded in these narratives that continue to hold significance today. The objective of this project was for students to create a moʻolelo (story) that may have been told and passed down within their family. As they reflect on stories passed down to them, they will use these stories as inspiration to create or share a story that they can pass on to their own family.

This project began with a session led by Kumu Elly Tepper, who shared her storytelling expertise and demonstrated the literacy skills essential for crafting compelling narratives. Once students completed writing their stories, they integrated a digital literacy component under the guidance of the Ulu Aʻe team. Working individually and in small groups, students engaged in peer editing—a critical step in the writing process. They enhanced their moʻolelo by incorporating original artwork and images to visually enrich their narratives. Additionally, students honed their oral communication skills by preparing and recording polished versions of their stories, ensuring their moʻolelo were presented with clarity and impact.

King Intermediate GR 7-8 Read-Aloud with Elementary Schools
October 2024- December 2024

The goal of this project was to “give-back” to King Intermediate studentsʻ elementary schools in the Kāneʻohe district. The aim was to strengthen older students’ sense of self by making connections with younger students and former school staff.

Strengthening a sense of community through read-alouds by older students can be very meaningful to younger peers. The focus on interactive reading increases pilina in the classroom and encourages older students to strengthen their reading as well as responsibility to be leaders for the younger students. Along with the read-aloud, students created coloring pages with a word that best summarized their book. This coloring page was shared and distributed to each class that was read to for students to color and enjoy.

Partnering elementary schools included: Kāneʻohe Elementary, Ben Parker Elementary, Ahuimanu Elementary, and Kapunahala Elementary.

King Intermediate GR 7-8 Aloha ‘Āina Innovation Academy – “Story of My Name”
August 2024
Kumu Sarah & Justine

In this project, students researched the story of their name to explore their given name on a deeper level, embracing and honoring ʻohana and connecting to the significance. They used what they learned and created an illustrated self-portrait digital media project that told their story.

King Intermediate GR 7 Summer Enrichment – “I am From”
July 2024
Kumu Joshy

During the summer at King Intermediate, incoming 7th grade students created “I Am From” poems, using everyday objects from their homes and communities to reflect their identities. Over the course of two weeks, they engaged in pilina-building activities and brought their poems to life through a digital media project.

King Intermediate GR 7-8 Summer Bridge
July 2023

Students participated in a program that helped to ease their transitions to the middle school year. This project also taught these students professional art techniques in creating self portrait avatars. They also animated their drawings and recorded an “I am From” poem script that they wrote, on an iPad. Finally, they edited and put together a project using a green screen app. This class was an opportunity for new students to get to know themselves as they navigate a very challenging time in their lives. This bridge program also allowed them to get to know other students, make friends, and discover who can support them as they go through the upcoming years.

King Intermediate GR 7-8 After School All Stars
September 2022

After school, students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects. They were given the chance to create self portraits using professional art techniques. They could learn about themselves, write about it and also create a poem from their own story. They were given time to work on iPads, using apps to create animation and projects using green screen. They used iMovie and also made short vids that promoted a pono (right or righteous) message. In addition, they were taught closely, by a group of educators that were able to provide these students with substantial one-on-one time.

King Intermediate GR 7-8 Safe Space Class
November – December 2021

This was a unique and intimate bunch of students that participated in a project that helped to express and share a little more about who they are. This project allowed students to draw a self portrait, write and share about their backgrounds and interests, but do it in a way that matched the nature of the class. Students felt comfortable and safe in this environment and participating in this project.

Castle High GR 10
SpEd Language Arts
August – September 2023

This class and group of students were going through some hardships. We supported them in the process of creating a project that was very similar to ones we have done in the past. For them it was new, interesting and a fun way to tackle work with a different approach. This class was able to complete a required project while learning and adopting skills they enjoyed. Some highlights for the students, included drawing and working with technology. They used an iPad to take pics and vids, find backgrounds and grab images from their drives, and record their voices with headsets and mics.

Makahiki — Windward Oʻahu Schools

Grades 4–8 | 254 students & 14 teachers | January – February 2026

During the Makahiki season, the Ulu Aʻe Transitions team collaborates with kumu from Windward Oʻahu schools to facilitate and organize Makahiki games that celebrate Hawaiian culture and traditions. Through these engaging, hands-on experiences, students learn about the significance of Makahiki while participating in traditional games that promote teamwork, respect, and friendly competition. These events strengthen pilina (connection) to culture, community, and one another in a fun and meaningful way.

Participating Schools

Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 4 (Feb 2026) · Kāneʻohe Elementary GR 6 (Jan 2026) · Heʻeia Elementary GR 6 & King Intermediate (Jan 2026) · Heʻeia Elementary GR 5 & King Intermediate (Jan 2026)

January – February 2026

Makahiki is a Hawaiian season of peace, harvest, and celebration honoring the god Lono, marked by ceremonies, games, and giving thanks for the land’s abundance. During the months of January and February, Ulu Aʻe Transitions and participating schools engaged in Makahiki games as part of a cultural celebration and educational component focused on Native Hawaiian traditions. These games are played during the Makahiki season, a time of peace, harvest, and tribute to Lono. During Makahiki, physical games and competitions were held to promote strength, skill, and unity.

Waiāhole Elementary K–6

December 2025

Dr. Kū, along with her family, facilitated a two-day cultural experience at Waiāhole Elementary School centered on Makahiki. Teachers participated in an after-school PD exploring Makahiki traditions and self-introduction in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, followed by a school-wide Makahiki celebration the next day, engaging PreK–6th grade students in traditional games that honored ʻike, ʻike kūpuna, and community practice.

King Intermediate GR 7–8 Aloha ‘Āina Innovation Academy Makahiki

December 2022

In this project, students participated in and learned about both the history and the playing of Makahiki games. Later, they produced videos that would help to teach others about the games and how to play them. They had to use their imagination and creativity to make fun and interesting, but also informative training videos. These video projects used a variety of skills, including art, script writing, voiceover, and video editing. The final video was used as an introduction to younger students to the games and led to an exciting day of playing the games. The middle school students organized and led the elementary students through the various stations of Makahiki games, encouraging them to have fun and ensuring their safety.