Parking to Pilina

Castle High School’s HCYP project began with what students initially saw as a straightforward problem to solve: improving the student parking lot on campus. However, through their participation in HCYP, conversations with community members, and ongoing waiwai walks, students began to step back and ask deeper questions about purpose, community, and who they were ultimately serving. Through dialogue with kūpuna, educators, students, state workers, and the broader Kāneʻohe community, the project evolved from focusing on a single physical space to exploring larger themes of transportation, mental health, social ethics, and connection to place. 

Along the way, students deepened their understanding of philanthropy, moving beyond initial assumptions and developing a more open and community-grounded perspective on giving and service. The group created opportunities for younger students to engage in their own waiwai walks and reflections, helping expand conversations about kuleana, aloha, and appreciation for the ʻāina and community around them. Through this process, Castle students reflected not only on what needed improvement, but also on the strengths, beauty, and relationships already present within their community, shifting their work from “parking to pilina.”

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