In this episode of the Above the Sides, Kaui Tanaka, Principal of Maunawili Elementary School shares her path from growing up on Oʻahu and “playing school” as a child to building a joyful career in education. She talks about how the Foundations of Aloha program influences the way she approaches communication and finding solutions in her work. Through stories from her career and reflections on teachings of the late Pono Shim, she discusses how the values of aloha show up at school. Kaui also reflects on what it means to work with Hawaii’s keiki and the role schools play in shaping both learning and character. The conversation explores how simple practices like listening, patience and respect can shape stronger relationships in our Hawaii schools and communities. Mahalo for tuning in! Episode Highlights 01:47 Growing Up on Oahu 02:22 Called to Teach 03:52 Journey to Maunawili Elementary School 06:17 Joy of Working with Keiki 07:58 Discovering Foundations of Aloha 09:51 Healing a Work Relationship 13:07 Aloha in Practice 14:13 Aloha Fridays and Student Legacy 16:50 Everyday Aloha Moments 19:33 Meeting Foundations Team 21:21 Presence 23:18 A Cup and Half of Flour 26:34 Why Teaching Fulfills 29:01 Gratitude and Practice 31:52 Saying Yes in 2026 Learn more about Education Incubatorʻs Foundations of Aloha program: https://eduincubator.org/our-work/
In this episode of the Above the Sides, Kaui Tanaka, Principal of Maunawili Elementary School shares her path from growing up on Oʻahu and “playing school” as a child to building a joyful career in education. She talks about how the Foundations of Aloha program influences the way she approaches communication and finding solutions in her work. Through stories from her career and reflections on teachings of the late Pono Shim, she discusses how the values of aloha show up at school. Kaui also reflects on what it means to work with Hawaii’s keiki and the role schools play in shaping both learning and character. The conversation explores how simple practices like listening, patience and respect can shape stronger relationships in our Hawaii schools and communities. Mahalo for tuning in!
Episode Highlights
01:47 Growing Up on Oahu
02:22 Called to Teach
03:52 Journey to Maunawili Elementary School
06:17 Joy of Working with Keiki
07:58 Discovering Foundations of Aloha
09:51 Healing a Work Relationship
13:07 Aloha in Practice
14:13 Aloha Fridays and Student Legacy
16:50 Everyday Aloha Moments
19:33 Meeting Foundations Team
21:21 Presence
23:18 A Cup and Half of Flour
26:34 Why Teaching Fulfills
29:01 Gratitude and Practice
31:52 Saying Yes in 2026
Learn more about Education Incubatorʻs Foundations of Aloha program: https://eduincubator.org/our-work/