Category: Personal Notes & Reflections

This past summer, I embarked on a Master’s Degree Program in Private School Leadership at the University of Hawai‘i. For six weeks, 24 of us immersed ourselves in scholarly literature, wrote more than a dozen papers, and engaged in deep discussions and reflections about the future of independent schools in Hawai‘i. It was an intense…

When Dr. Cheryl Hayashi ’85 returned to ‘Iolani, classrooms buzzed with curiosity. From kindergarten to twelfth grade, students were captivated by her two-week teaching residency. Suddenly, spiders were no longer pests or mere bugs—they became subjects of fascination and wonder. Hayashi, a spider silk biologist and associate professor of biology at the University of California,…

There’s a picture in her office at Queen’s Medical Center. Not just another framed memory, but a reminder of a turning point. A woman—injured in the Pentagon attack of 2001—smiles faintly from a hospital bed, her family gathered close. Dr. Elizabeth Ignacio ’89 is beside her, speaking in Tagalog, helping the patient bridge language and…

When I first heard about Dr. Cathy Bell ’87, I was struck not just by her accomplishments, but by the weight of history she carries. Her great-grandfather, Dr. Alsoberry Kaumualii Hanchett, was the first Hawaiian to graduate from Harvard Medical College in 1914. Her grandfather, The Right Rev. E. Lani Hanchett ’37, became the first…

At the end of June 2010, Fred Okumura ’65 closed a remarkable 39-year chapter at ‘Iolani School. Beginning as one of the two Upper School counselors, Fred’s dedication and vision soon led him to the role of Dean of the Lower School. Over the decades, his leadership shaped the experiences of countless students, teachers, and…

One image that always comes to mind is that mural in Father Bray Athletic Complex—the one where young boys sprint across the wall, faces alight with joy and energy. Christopher Chun ’92 is one of them. Alongside his classmates, including Cavan Scanlan ’92, he ran as fast as they could for a photograph, never imagining…

I’ve always admired people who lead not just with skill, but with humility. Mark Yamakawa ’74 is one of those rare leaders whose story is as inspiring as his accomplishments. Coming Full Circle: From Student to Board Member Mark didn’t join ‘Iolani until the ninth grade. “The new school environment was a life-changing event,” he…

I’ve always been drawn to people who combine talent with humility. Watching Derrick Low ’04, I realized how rare that combination is. From Raider to Global Player Derrick’s basketball journey started at ‘Iolani, where he became a four-time All-State Player and three-time All-State Player of the Year. I imagine the gyms filled with energy whenever…