NU‘UKIA | Our Mission & Values

Three people observing a misty forest path

Nu‘ukia

Two pairs of legs and a skateboard on a wooden surface

Adult helping students write in a classroom

I Ulu i ke Kuamoʻo

Ka ʻUmeke is rooted in Keaukaha and nourished by ancestral knowledge systems that shape how we teach, learn, and care for our lāhui. Every pathway forward begins with honoring the foundations that came before us.

I Mana i ka ʻŌiwi

At Ka ʻUmeke, ʻike Hawaiʻi is not an addition to learning but the lens through which we understand the world. Through ʻōlelo, protocol, and kuleana, haumāna deepen their connection to who they are and where they come from.

Smiling young woman playing an upright bass

Two people with a skateboard on a wooden deck

Adult and child carrying green plants in a tropical setting

I Kāʻeo no ka Hanauna Hou

Ka ʻUmeke equips haumāna with academic excellence, cultural grounding, and the critical skills to innovate and serve their kaiāulu. Our success is measured not only in academic achievement, but in the impact they will make for the future lāhui.

Two women crafting with natural fibers outdoors

He ‘Umeke Kā‘eo

Our Values

Kūpa‘a

We are committed to excellence in education for our keiki, community, and lāhui. We ensure that our stakeholders embrace their kuleana and honor, recognize and care for our akua. We understand that our actions reflect on our ʻohana and community, and therefore we ensure our behavior is pono.

Kaiāulu

We care for and support our community, which includes Keaukaha, the Hawaiian community, and Hawaiian culture-based schools. We do this by actively participating in activities that benefit the community and sharing our resources openly. We are conscious of how our activities affect our community. We participate in political decisions, introduce new and innovative teaching skills, and take chances using aggressive and creative teaching methods.

Kūpono

Striving for excellence in all areas (social, spiritual, and academic) is our guiding principle. We exemplify leadership through critical decision-making that empowers our keiki and their ʻohana.

Aloha

We honor and respect the school community. We will make decisions based on aloha and understanding. We care for our ʻohana and implement programs that enhance family participation. We mālama ʻohana by including them in their keiki’s education to connect them to their keiki as well as to Hawaiian education.