May has passed! With lots of graduating classes coming through it has inspired us with excitement for this next season. Join us as we share what has been going on at the Kids House in May, reflect on some Makanalani History, and look forward to the rest of 2025!
- Graduates, Graduates, Graduates! -
Congratulations class of 2025!
This month had a theme of welcoming in graduate classes! From seniors with Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Kanuikapono Charter School, and Island School, to the 6th Grade Class of Kilauea Elementary School graduating into Middle School! We are so blessed for these connections and pray for each one of these students as they move on to their next phase of life!
Below are pictures from Island School’s Senior Class, and Kilauea Elementary 6th Graders!
- Makanalani Ohana Dinner -
This month we had the opportunity to host our very own Makanalani Ohana! Welcoming in management, staff, and families from every branch of Makanalani for a time of community and the chance to share about future of our group! We are extremely thankful for our team and the enthusiasm each person has for the future of Makanalani!
- Ke kula kaiapuni 'O Pu'ohala -
We had the opportunity this month to welcome in students from Ke kula kaiapuni ‘O Pu’ohala! These students traveled from Oahu and got to take a week on Kauai to learn about the history of Kauai though exploring and working on the land! One of their days we got to let them take full advantage of the Makanalani Property. Playing games, visiting the animals, using the slip and slide, and more!
Welcoming students from other islands is always such a treat for us! It’s an inspiration to see firsthand the impact of more places that are investing into today’s youth!
A Glimpse into Our Past...
- Clearing a Path -
When we bought the 130 acres in 2005 that today makes up Makanalani, many previous viewings had been by helicopter because it was a jungle, a place where locals would often come to hunt wild pigs. No roads, no bridges, no good fences, just runaway jungle – but what we saw was the potential for a beautiful and wild place for kids to explore and play.
We started out early in 2006 making roads, bridges, and fencing the property.
We cleared away miles of brush and trees. The pictures below show some cleared sections…
We made roads through the forests by first walking and marking the best routes (see the orange tape hanging from trees and bushes), and then cutting through undergrowth with the backhoe, and finally bringing our giant bulldozer to cut the planned road – and gravel came much later.
-Hawaii Leadership Residency-
The Start of Summer!
“It’s the first week at Hawaii Leadership Residency, and we have a full and expectant house. The energy and morale has been high with training at service sites and in teachings at our house. We are looking forward to an amazing summer!”
– Noah Ritchie, Hawaii Leadership Residency Coordinator
