Kailua High School and Hālau Hekili students centered their project around the concept of “Huewai,” using waiwai mapping as a way to better understand community, service, and the connections between philanthropy and what people value most. Through interviews with classmates and teachers, students explored different understandings of philanthropy and waiwai, discovering that while many initially associated philanthropy primarily with money, deeper conversations revealed strong connections to service, community care, and helping others in meaningful ways. Their reflections emphasized the importance of helping peers see philanthropy not only as financial giving, but as actions rooted in relationships, contribution, and collective well-being.
Throughout the year, students also deepened their connection to place and community through learning experiences connected to Kāneʻohe, ʻike from community voices, and hands-on waiwai mapping activities. Their project highlighted the importance of honoring local knowledge and understanding the abundance already present within community. As part of their hōʻike, students invited others to “add their mana to the huewai” by contributing reflections about what they value and what they bring to community, reinforcing the idea that everyone has gifts, experiences, and ʻike that strengthen the collective.
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