Bridging Classroom and Community With Jana Kaopuiki’s Approach to Deeper Learning
Jana Kaopuiki’s quiet strength shines through her work at Mid-Pacific. Since joining in 2018, she has created thoughtful learning experiences that help students build strong connections to their community, the world around them, and each other, nurturing a sense of place that begins on campus and grows beyond.
Her approach reflects the values Mid-Pacific strives to instill in all its students: respect, responsibility, care for others, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Kaopuiki’s dedication to service and hands-on learning helps students develop these qualities in authentic, lasting ways.
Kaopuiki currently teaches three courses: sixth-grade Exploratory for Service Learning and two tech electives for seventh and eighth graders—Design Thinking and Immersive Technology. In each course, she blends service, culture, and innovation. Her work is guided by the Hawaiian proverb Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike—knowledge is gained by doing. “You can learn a lot by reading or watching,” Kaopuiki says, “but if you want long-term, impactful learning, you need to be there, experiencing and doing.”
This philosophy aligns with Mid-Pacific’s commitment to Deeper Learning, emphasizing critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application. Kaopuiki’s classes bring these ideas to life, giving students opportunities to apply what they learn in meaningful ways.
Her sixth-grade Service Learning course, created to expand the exploratory curriculum, focuses on connections to family, campus, and the wider community. Service, Kaopuiki explains, has always been a guiding value in her life, shaped by older generations who gave selflessly for those who came after. “There’s a Japanese phrase, kodomo no tame ni—for the sake of the children,” she says. “That spirit shaped me, and I wanted to pass it on. If service is important to us, we need to give students real opportunities to practice it and make it their own.”
From left: ‘Aukai K. ’31, Dylan W. ’31, Angel Allas, and Ellodie G. ’31 planting kupukupu fern on campus.
A highlight of the course is the collaboration with Mid-Pacific’s Facilities and Maintenance Services (FMS) team. Through hands-on projects, students build lasting bonds with those caring for their school. “It’s rewarding to see students take pride in their work and develop respect for our FMS team and their environment,” Kaopuiki says. Afterward, students reflect on their experiences, connecting their work to class discussions and exploring ways to address real needs. Inspired by a landscaping project, one student proposed installing shoe-cleaning stations at Wood Hall to help keep shared spaces clean.
Kaopuiki helps lead an immersive experience for seventh graders that strengthens their connection to land and community through hands-on outdoor learning. Annual trips to Heʻeia, Papahana Kuaola, and Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi introduce students to the ahupuaʻa system, where they explore upland and coastal ecosystems, learn about native species, and work in the loʻi to experience traditional Hawaiian agriculture.
This year, the focus was on Papahana Kuaola, where the entire class worked together, building both knowledge and camaraderie. Kaopuiki tells students, “This could be the best day of seventh grade for you,” and many agree. “Be a good representative of our school and Mānoa,” she reminds them, “so we get invited back.”
Tasks vary year to year, from clearing invasive plants to restoring taro mounds and removing invasive fish—real exercises in environmental science and stewardship. The trip also connects deeply to classroom learning. In English Language Arts, students use persuasive writing to inspire care for the environment, while Social Studies links the experience to civil rights movements, showing activism in action here in Hawai‘i. “It’s empowering for students to realize that everyday people, like themselves, can make a real difference,” Kaopuiki explains.
This powerful blend of place-based learning and personal connection came to life during a meaningful student trip to Lānaʻi and Maui.
Lānaʻi holds deep personal significance for Kaopuiki, who was raised there. When she helped organize the Pūpūkahi hula students’ journey to Lānaʻi and Maui, she focused on shaping the Lānaʻi portion of the trip, offering students a rare opportunity to see the island through her eyes. “My upbringing was so different from many of my colleagues and students,” she explains. “Being able to share the people, places, and stories of my home gave them a deeper understanding of who I am.” For students, it wasn’t just about visiting a new place; it was about experiencing it through someone who carries deep aloha for the ʻāina and its history.
“They told me the best part of the trip was seeing Lānaʻi through my perspective,” she recalls. “That made it more meaningful.” Through those shared experiences and relationships, students gained a deeper appreciation for gratitude, community, and kuleana (responsibility)—not just as ideas, but as values they could carry forward with purpose.
Whether in the classroom or the community, Jana Kaopuiki empowers students to value service, connection, and purposeful action. Her work shows that when students engage deeply with their learning, they grow academically and emerge as thoughtful, empowered individuals ready to serve and lead in their communities.