STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
SPECIAL MEETING

MINUTES

Thursday, January 13, 2022
*The Board did not meet at a physical location. As part of the response to the threat of COVID-19, Governor David Ige issued an Emergency Proclamation dated December 29, 2021, suspending Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 92, Public Agency Meetings and Records, to the extent necessary to enable boards as defined in Section 92-2, to conduct meetings without any board members or members of the public physically present in the same location, among other things.

PRESENT:
Catherine Payne, Chairperson
Bill Arakaki
Kaimana Barcarse
Lyla Berg
Lynn Fallin
Kili Namauʻu
Bruce Voss

EXCUSED:
Kenneth Uemura, Vice Chairperson
Shanty Asher

ALSO PRESENT:
Kyla Musso, Student Representative
Colonel Angenene L. Robertson, Military Representative
Dawn Kau‘i Sang, Hawaiian Education Director, Office of Hawaiian Education, Department of Education
Ka‘anohi Kalama-Macomber, Educational Specialist, Office of Hawaiian Education, Department of Education
Karen Nakasone, State Office Teacher, Office of Hawaiian Education, Department of Education
Pono Fernandez, Evaluation Specialist, Office of Hawaiian Education, Department of Education
Ku‘ulei Makua, Educational Specialist, Office of Hawaiian Education, Department of Education
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
Kenyon Tam, Board Analyst
Regina Pascua, Executive Secretary
Lady Garrett, Secretary


I. Call to Order

Board Chairperson Catherine Payne called the Board of Education (“Board”) Special Meeting to order at 10:39 a.m.


II. Discussion Items

Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony on this agenda item.

Cheri Nakamura, HE’E Coalition, expressed appreciation that the Board of Education (“Board”) is getting training on HĀ, with the aim of applying what they learn to the search for a new superintendent.

Mara Hanson, member of the public, testified that HĀ training is appropriate but the interim superintendent has not shown aloha to parents, teachers, and students by denying requests for more distance learning options.

Cara Flores, member of the public, testified that HĀ training is important, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board Chairperson Payne explained that the Office of Hawaiian Education (“OHE”) was asked to provide the Board with HĀ training. She explained that Nā Hopena A‘o is a comprehensive framework that the Department of Education (“Department”) uses to develop all students to achieve their fullest potential.

Board Chairperson Payne stated that the training would serve as the foundation for the Board’s work on the strategic plan and search for the permanent superintendent. She announced that she would like to suspend Robert’s Rules for the training and turn this portion of the meeting over to Ka‘anohi Kalama-Macomber, Educational Specialist, OHE. Board Chairperson Payne explained that multiple OHE staff members would facilitate the HĀ training.

A video was shared with meeting participants to allow for the setting of sacred space.

Pono Fernandez, Educational Specialist, OHE, expressed appreciation to the Board for making the connection with HĀ training. She explained that the first activity is called “Aloha Circle” and is adapted from Puni Jackson of Ho‘oulu ʻĀina. She explained that each person would share their name, name of their ‘āina (land), and name of a person that you would like to bring to this space.

Board Members and HĀ training participants provided their personal reflections.

Kalama-Macomber stated that the mo‘olelo (story) that a person chooses to guide their life experiences within our communities sets the course for the future. She stated that individual connections strive to be pono (righteous) for each individual and the collective whole.

Kalama-Macomber stated that having each person share the name of a person who has made an impact in their life provides a glimpse into each individual’s genealogy and identity. She prompted the group to reflect on the following, “when walking into a space in Hawai‘i how do you know you are in Hawai‘i and nowhere else in the world.”

Board Members and HĀ training participants provided their personal reflections.

Kalama-Macomber stated that a foundation in language, culture, and history is meaningful in all places of learning. She explained that the Board policy grounds the work built on special attributes, stories, and relationships to create a sense of learning for all.

Kalama-Macomber stated that Nā Hopena Aʻo translates to “the results of learning.” She emphasized that every individual has a role and needs to remain open to continually learning so that BREATH, which stands for Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, and Total Well-Being can be the outcome. Kalama-Macomber also explained that each individual has a gift to contribute to the collective whole and shares the responsibility of working together. She stated that people need to shift their mindset to view education as an honor and not as a chore.

Kalama-Macomber explained that success looks different for each individual because there will not be success without preparation. She asked how the Board could support a gift-based system recognizing everyone for their gifts to add value and strengthen everyone.

Kalama-Macomber asked Board Members to reflect on whether the Board is leveraging gifts or wasting gifts. She shared that Aunty Pilahi Paki created the acronym for “Aloha” which stands for Akahai (to be kind), Lōkahi (unity), ‘Olu’olu (agreeable), Ha’aha’a (humility), and Ahonui (patient).

Kalama-Macomber stated that total well-being is important when getting to know the stories of the past, which form the creation of the present and future. She asked how the Board could put conditions into place that allow total well-being to become common practice.

Kalama-Macomber noted that the commonality is that each person is living, growing, breathing, learning and experiencing life in Hawaii. She encouraged the Board to think about professional and personal experiences when an individual helped strengthen goals and what conditions allowed this to happen in order to connect to the work.

Kalama-Macomber announced that the group would recess to go into group discussions to reflect on naming and origins.

Board Chairperson Payne recessed the meeting at 11:32 am

Board Chairperson Payne reconvened the meeting at 12:03 pm

Dawn Kau’i Sang, Director of Hawaiian Education, OHE asked each group to share about the importance of storytelling that was learned during the small group sessions.

Board Member Kili Namau‘u stated that during the small group session each person shared their cultural lineage. She expressed appreciation that everyone in the group could trace their genealogy and noted that one group member shared that they are not able to trace their genealogy beyond a certain point.

Fernandez shared that the common themes discussed in the small group session were genealogical names, ancestral background, the uniqueness of names, responsibility for the meaning of names, and the identity of those who give names.

Ku‘ulei Makua, Educational Specialist, OHE shared that the group discussed a sense of pride, shared anecdotes, and stories relating to their names. She also stated that the group discussed the traditions and sacred naming practices connected to Hawaiian culture.

Board Member Kaimana Barcarse stated that he was immersed in the stories and learned that listening to these stories helped him to find commonalities and was a good way to start making connections with his group members.

Board Chairperson Payne stated that the stories help people to remember a situation and creates a deeper understanding, which leads to stronger relationships.

Board Member Bruce Voss stated that he would like the permanent superintendent to be someone who does not just listen but actually hears what the community is saying.

Board Member Lyla Berg stated that the message she got was to pay attention to feelings and how feelings can emote from what is shared.

Fernandez stated that the book entitled Kaiāulu: Gathering Tides by Mehana Blaich Vaughan shares about the work done within and by a community. She shared that the concept described on page 59, “we sit in generations” reflects how generations connect our past, present, and future. She invited each person to share a quote from Kaiāulu, Chapter 4, entitled Konohiki: Inviting Community Ability and Abundance that resonated with them and to explain why.

Board Members and training participants shared quotes from Kaiāulu and explained why the quotes resonated with them.

Fernandez announced that the group would share personal stories about community and gifts in small groups.

Board Chairperson Payne recessed the meeting at 12:45 p.m.

Board Chairperson Payne reconvened the meeting at 1:06 p.m.

Sang stated that the group reflection focused on how, as a system, the Board and Department can create conditions that allow the community to contribute to what is important and share in the responsibility to create a welcoming space.

Board Member Barcarse shared that for his community there is a connection to specific places through ʻohana (family), kākou (we, inclusive of everyone), loina (traditions), mo‘olelo (stories) and the understanding of the kuleana (responsibility) to carry things forward to be successful.

Makua stated that learning about each other’s name invites the sharing of personality and identity. She stated that the group discussed how communities seek to connect and provide everyone the ability to see similarities with other communities, places, and ʻohana (family).

Fernandez stated that our communities look different, but the practices and values connect everyone to define success. She asked what a Board and Department grounded in HĀ look like, what happens when gifts come from the community, and what is the potential for using gifts in the community. Fernandez shared that during the HĀ experience she has learned that children do not come to the classroom as empty vessels, each of them bring mo‘olelo (stories), gifts, and values.

Board Chairperson Payne stated that it is important to move away from focusing on problems and instead think of individuals as resources at all levels, including the children.

Board Member Voss stated that there is no success without preparation. He stated that the Department and Board has been criticized for its lack of preparation but the first part of preparation is knowing and doing your homework. Board Member Voss also stated that the second part is thinking before acting and speaking and the Board needs to expect this from the superintendent and their team. He noted that preparation would set the foundation for all things that follow.

Board Member Berg stated that specific behaviors should be reflected in how individuals think, say, and do. She noted it is important to reflect on things that are truthful, fair, and beneficial to problem solve and neutralize fear.

Fernandez asked the group to think about indicators and what the Board is putting into place to ensure safety and aloha (love) and asked which conditions require planning.

Sang shared that building beloved communities is a practice from Aunty Puanani Burgess and asked what it looks like if the Department used a gift-based system. She stated that this would require shifting the mindset from fixing to looking for and nurturing gifts. Sang emphasized that everyone should be sharing in the leadership of Nā Hopena A’o and the actions generated when responding.

Sang announced that the Board Members and training participants will be asked to share personal stories about community and gifts.

Board Chairperson Payne recessed the meeting at 1:26 p.m.

Board Chairperson Payne reconvened the meeting at 2:01 p.m.

Sang asked the group to share one word that resonates relating to gifts and what that means for the Board.

Board members and training participants shared the one word that resonates relating to gifts.

Sang asked the participants to reflect on any lessons learned and how it will help the Board with the selection of a new superintendent.

Board Chairperson Payne stated that the Board should be looking for a superintendent who can gather people with the gift of leadership instead of coming onboard with their own plans to move the system in a certain direction. She also stated that the superintendent should allow for listening, hearing, and incorporating many ideas.

Board Member Voss stated that building a solid team is one of the most important attributes of a superintendent because the Department needs a leader who can assemble and rely on a good team to help the system.

Board Student Representative Kyla Musso stated that all components of HĀ contribute to success and putting forth the best gifts.

Board Member Bill Arakaki shared a picture of a wa‘a (canoe) built by his former students. He stated that each student relied on teamwork and values to create their wa‘a (canoe) Board Member Arakaki also stated that the new superintendent should be someone that can build a team and have everyone in the correct seat to navigate during hardships and good times.

Board Member Barcarse shared the following ʻōlelo no’eau (Hawaiian proverb) “He moku he wa‘a, he wa‘a he moku,” which translates to our canoe is our island, our island is our canoe. He stated that the message talks about the interdependent nature of the canoe because everyone needs to fulfill and embrace their kuleana (responsibility) while on the canoe. Board Member Barcarse emphasized that the HĀ mindset can represent family, communities, and schools.

Board Member Berg recommended that the Board ask superintendent candidates to share their story.

Fernandez expressed appreciation for the responses and noted that recognizing gifts and listening to the community is integral on how to move forward. She shared that another activity is called the “We/Why” which establishes the identity of the community and why things are being done to help figure out practices.

Fernandez asked what non-negotiables the Board is looking for in a superintendent.

Kalama-Macomber explained that grounding the work in HĀ what some of the non-negotiables are in order to be successful.

Board Chairperson Payne replied that she does not want the Board to get stuck on identifying non-negotiables. She stated that the first thing that is necessary is a commitment from all levels of leadership to be open and embrace values. Board Chairperson Payne noted that reflection is key for those in leadership.

Fernandez suggested that the Board use the foundational principles of HĀ and recognized that there will be constant fluctuation. She clarified that the pillars of the HĀ work are the indicators and conditions. Fernandez asked everyone to reflect individually on how to activate your space, which will translate to community space for the work moving forward.

Kalama-Macomber stated that at the beginning of the HĀ training everyone was asked to share about the conditions and unique attributes of Hawaii. She asked everyone to share in one word about what is one gift that Hawaii has given you.

Board Members and training participants provided their personal reflections on one gift from Hawaii.

Kalama-Macomber stated that the Board needs to be able to recognize the gifts everyone brings and use these gifts to build and nurture a community that can give back.

Board Chairperson Payne expressed appreciation to OHE staff for conducting the training.


III. Late Public Testimony on Board Agenda Items

Board Chairperson Payne called for public testimony from any individuals who did not have an opportunity to testify on earlier agenda items.

Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, testified on agenda item II.A on the presentation on the HĀ training for the Board and stated that she would like the Board to recognize their staff for their hard work managing Board meetings.

Board Members received written testimony before the meeting. The following is a listing of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting.


Name
Organization
Agenda Item
C. BurghardtII. A. Presentation on HĀ training for the Board of Education: an opportunity to deepen the collective understanding of HĀ and strengthen BREATH (Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total well-being, and Hawaii) in the public education system
Wai‘ale‘ale Sarsona, Ed.D.Kamehameha SchoolsII. A. Presentation on HĀ training for the Board of Education: an opportunity to deepen the collective understanding of HĀ and strengthen BREATH (Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total well-being, and Hawaii) in the public education system
Lynn OtaguroII. A. Presentation on HĀ training for the Board of Education: an opportunity to deepen the collective understanding of HĀ and strengthen BREATH (Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total well-being, and Hawaii) in the public education system
Cheri NakamuraHE‘E CoalitionII. A. Presentation on HĀ training for the Board of Education: an opportunity to deepen the collective understanding of HĀ and strengthen BREATH (Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total well-being, and Hawaii) in the public education system
Martha Guinan
Ivalee Sinclair		Special Education Advisory CouncilII. A. Presentation on HĀ training for the Board of Education: an opportunity to deepen the collective understanding of HĀ and strengthen BREATH (Belonging, Responsibility, Excellence, Aloha, Total well-being, and Hawaii) in the public education system



IV. Adjournment

Board Chairperson Payne adjourned the meeting at 2:29 p.m.