Kekaulike High School Foundation Board Officers
President- Megan Nakashima, KKHS Alumni and Pukalani Superette Manager Vice President- Wayde Toyama, KKHS Alumni Treasurer- Naomi McCall, Former KKHS Parent Secretary- Cindy Asato-Kochi, Former KKHS Parent and KKHS Staff Ex Officio- Amy Strand, Former KKHS Parent and current Principal Directors
Emily Haines-Swatek, KKHS Staff and Parent Jan Matsushita, Former KKHS Staff Sadie Mossman, KKHS Staff and Former KKHS Parent Susan Scofield, Former KKHS Principal Kim Uyehara, KKHS Staff and Former KKHS Parent Selina Pannell, KKHS Alumni Gary Kanamori, KKHS Alumni and Principal of Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Kaylee DeCambra, KKHS Alumni and Staff
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The journey to a foundation...As the school was nearing its 25th anniversary, teachers at King Kekaulike High School began to think about the creation of a school foundation. Alumni were now beginning to become well established in their families and careers and sending their own children to their former high school. Donors often inquired about making tax deductible contributions in support of our students for scholarships or programs.
Realizing the need for the Kekaulike community to have a way to support all upcountry schools, in August 2019, a group of alumni and teachers set out to create the Kekaulike High School Foundation. Initially, the group contacted and spoke with the executive director of the Lahainaluna Foundation and resources from other foundations. In addition, Mr. Dwight Muraoka was instrumental in helping with the legal aspects of setting up a foundation. Mr. Robert Kawahara, CPA, also provided much-needed insight into the financial aspects of non-profit foundations. Armed with the needed information and a determination to complete the process, the group met regularly over the next few months, hashing out the purpose, by-laws, and required tax forms. Once the necessary forms were completed, they were submitted, and the waiting began. In March 2020, the Kekaulike High School Foundation was established and in May 2021 the foundation was granted 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization. |