Aisea Toetu’u was a sixth grader at Jarrett Middle School with dreams of playing college football on the mainland when he was asked to join the KA’I Program. The program helped pave the way for him to succeed in Kaiser High School and eventually pursue his love for football in college. He was accepted to Missouri Valley College and is now able to continue his dream with the help of KA’I.
“I’m very thankful for KA’I giving me opportunities to reach my dream goals to play college football and going to college in a different state,” said Toetu’u, who is now in his fourth year at Missouri Valley College majoring in Criminal Justice. “It is such a good experience, and I think KA’I is such a good program that will help you make your dreams come true.”
KA’I is a partnership between Jarrett Middle School and ‘Iolani School, and it means Kūkulu Alaka’i ‘Iolani, which translates to the creation of leaders. KA’I started in 2010, and to be a part of the program, the students must commit to their six-year summer program at ‘Iolani from sixth grade to when they graduate high school.
“KA’I made me more mature and to be more independent,” said Toetu’u, who is a first-generation college student. “KA’I has prepared me well for college, and I wouldn’t have gone to Missouri without the help of KA’I. I wouldn’t have had the help and guidance that KA’I provided and probably wouldn’t have gone to college at all.”
Although the main program is held during the summer, KA’I provides in-person and online tutoring to help students during the school year.
“I always have a very internal struggle when I see the wealth of ‘Iolani and the access that kids here have, and that’s great, but I just think all kids should have that,” said Allison Blankenship, KA’I Director and ‘Iolani alumna. “Privilege is not a bad thing, but there are things that should be open to everybody.”
Since 2010, KA’I has expanded into four programs. Its main program KA’I Middle and High School Program, the KA’I Kūlana Program in 2015, the KA’I Keiki Program in 2015, and the KA’I Elementary Program in 2022.
KA’I Kūlana is a postsecondary program that provides counseling for students who enter postsecondary education and a full tuition gap scholarship to pay for school-related expenses like textbooks or parking fees.
In 2014, I was finishing my sixth-grade year at Jarrett Middle School. One day, when I was in class, I was called to attend a meeting in the library. I met Blankenship when she told me I was among the 12 students handpicked to join the KA’I Program.
KA’I has prepared me for college throughout the six summers at ‘Iolani. KA’I has provided me with 100% free education here at Chaminade. They have paid for about $7,000 per semester in gap tuition. They have helped with paying for my books, school supplies, and parking fees.
The KA’I Keiki Program is a partnership between ‘Iolani School and Pālolo Homes. This program strives to provide free, high-quality early childhood education during the summer to increase educational success for low-income preschool-aged children living in Pālolo Homes.
The KA’I Elementary Program is the newest addition to our KA’I programs. This is a partnership with ‘Iolani School and Pālolo Elementary, and it strives to increase educational achievements for underserved elementary-aged students. Many of its students are English language learners and have experienced a lack of crucial learning during the pandemic.
Over the past 14 summers, KA’I has served over 450 students ranging from 2-year-olds to 26-year-olds.
“I’m very proud of our students,” Blankenship said. “I know that our kids get a lot from the program, especially from the outside [point of view], and I agree with that, but I also know what a big commitment it is for the kids. You’re basically saying, as a sixth grader, ‘The rest of my summers are going to be in school. I’m going to be at ‘Iolani, and I’m going to get up early, and I’m going to do homework.’ That’s a big commitment, and I think it’s amazing.”