November 2020
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Our Ahupua'a
From the mountain to the sea, our ahupua'a is that of Pālolo and is sometimes mentioned as that of Waikīkī. Extending from the ridge of Awaawaloa (2447 ft.) and Pu'u Lahipo (2621 ft.) and descending the ridges of Wa'ahila and Kalaepōhaku to the wetlands of Kapahulu and Waikīkī, and including the off-shore surf sites such as Kalehuawehe ("Populars"), and comprised of smaller sub-sections, this ahupua'a has its own rich collection of oral traditions, or mo'olelo, that speak of the significance of this area in earlier times.
Saint Louis School stands on a prominent land feature—“the rocky promontory”—in Hawaiian, Kalaepōhaku. Nineteenth-century records indicate that this section, or 'ili of the Pālolo 'ahupua'a was granted to High Chief Abner Kuhoʻoheiheipahu Pāki, father of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Earlier traditions speak of this as a fertile and productive region, enough to sustain a population center during the time of the 16th-century ali'i 'aimoku or king of O'ahu, Kākuhihewa.
This roughly triangular wedge juts from the Ko'olau range, and is divided into three major segments: Wa'ahila running along the east wall of Mānoa valley, Kūmauna or Kaumana at the center summit, and Kalaepōhaku bordering Pālolo valley. The foot of the ridge is bordered by Pālolo stream where the ancient lava of the Kaimukī cone pushes against the older Ko'olau slopes.
In 1922, the Society of Mary--the Marianists--purchased this parcel of 204 acres from the Estate of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop for $62,000. Construction of the first five main buildings of St. Louis College was completed by 1929, serving grades 1 through 12.
October 2020
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Why is ‘āina-based learning emphasized at Saint Louis School?
By knowing one’s place, and the people in that place, learning becomes relevant, rigorous, and relationship-oriented. Upon this foundation of knowledge and skills gained from Kalaepōhaku, a Saint Louis student will build. His building will not stop at our community of Kaimukī – Pālolo; he will use this launching point to see similar issues and parallels in his state, national, and eventually global community in which he dwells. Global stewardship becomes a guideline for the Saint Louis man to navigate and to improve his community.
‘Āina-based learning (ABL) is embedded—foundational—to Saint Louis School from its very establishment. At the core of our beginning as the College of Ahuimanu in 1846 was the education of Hawaiian men to become the educators tasked with the kuleana of bearing aloha ‘āina (leadership) into the future of the fledgling kingdom under King Kauikeaouli Kamehameha III. In a royal land grant in 1845, he provided over 200 acres to the Catholic Mission at the verdant vale of ‘Āhuimanu in He'eia for the establishment of a school to develop Native Hawaiian men into educators to minister to the indigenous youth. The language of instruction for the first eleven years of the College was 'olelo Hawai'i. ABL therefore complements our Catholic educational foundation as an indigenous means to achieving the mission of Saint Louis School. The values of this curricular theme resonate in the message of Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter of Laudato Sí:
Ecology, then, also involves protecting the cultural treasures of humanity in the broadest sense. More specifically, it calls for greater attention to local cultures when studying environmental problems, favouring a dialogue between scientific-technical language and the language of the people. Culture is more than what we have inherited from the past; it is also, and above all, a living, dynamic and participatory present reality, which cannot be excluded as we rethink the relationship between human beings and the environment.
24 May 2015
(Image of text in the upper left column) Translation of a newspaper clipping just months following the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy in 1893:
We were informed that the teachers of Saint Louis are teaching the students of that school about aloha ‘āina, because a person that has no love for his land of birth, that person is a beast.
Hawaii Holomua, Buke III, helu 16, Aoao 3. Aperila 15, 1893. www.nupepa-hawaii.com
A brief overview of our 175-year history: https://youtu.be/cxArHRXsTbk
August 2020
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Mr. and Mrs. Danny Nakamura Class of '59
Mahalo to Mr. and Mrs. Danny Nakamura Class of '59 for donating the beautiful landscaping fronting the new Clarence T. C. Ching Athletic Center.
April 2020
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George Helm
Saint Louis School has been in existence for 174 years. During that time, many Crusaders have gone on to make a difference in the world, like Saint Damien, Clarence T. C. Ching and many others. George Helm is one those people and a film has been made about his incredible life. If you look closely, part of this clip was filmed at Mamiya Theater. Stay safe and enjoy!