Celebrating Summer Improvements and New Security Station

Our facilities and maintenance crew worked tirelessly this summer to enhance our Mānoa campus. Improvements included:

• Refreshing the corridors and lobby in Kawaiaha‘o Hall
• Renovating classrooms and installing new furniture in Atherton Hall
• Enhancing campus-wide groundskeeping and planting
• Upgrading utilities and infrastructure

This week, we celebrated a significant collaboration between our Security and Facilities & Maintenance Departments. For years, our Security Department operated in a small guard station with little protection from the elements. Thanks to a special summer collaboration, our Facilities & Maintenance crew constructed a new security station for our hardworking Security Team, marking a significant step in our campus community’s mutual support and teamwork.

Kumu Hula Michael Lanakila Casupang conducted a blessing ceremony for our new station, Kahaukani Hale. This new station is a welcoming place where our Security Department will ensure our school is guarded and protected. In our oli Welina Mānoa, a specific line translates as “guarded by the Kahaukani wind,” highlighting their essential role of protecting our community and campus and acknowledging an important natural element of our valley, the wind Kahaukani.

During the blessing, Director of Campus Safety & Security Brad Heatherly, Director of Facilities & Maintenance Angel Allas, Kumu Hula Michael Lanakila Casupang, and Building Maintenance Supervisor Ross Kawawaki placed the kupukupu fern lei, created by our faculty and staff during the Opening Convocation, in Kahaukani Hale.

These improvements were completed before the new school year began, thanks to the tireless efforts of our facilities, maintenance, and security teams. We express our heartfelt gratitude to these teams for their dedication and hard work. Mahalo for all you do!