🌱 Resilience and Aloha: How Our Keiki Thrived Through Uncertain Times

When the world slowed down in 2020, Ka Hana Pono became one of the first preschools in Hawaiʻi to reopen its doors — initially to support first responder families, and later to welcome back our wider ʻohana as comfort allowed. Those early days of reopening were filled with both uncertainty and gratitude, and what unfolded remains a story of resilience, connection, and aloha.

From the very beginning, our daily rhythms were rooted in practices that supported health, safety, and joy. Much of our day has always been spent outdoors, whether gardening, painting, or making music in the sunshine. Keiki washed their hands often, not as a burden, but as part of caring for themselves and each other.

We also shifted to families providing food from home — something that honored each child’s individual needs, including those with dietary sensitivities. What was once simply our preschool culture became a vital health practice recognized by childcare licensing as a model of safety.

These practices gave keiki more than safety. They built:

• Patience and resilience through waiting, turn-taking, and adapting to new routines.

• Emotional literacy as they were guided to notice their feelings, express them, and respond with empathy to friends.

• Confidence and creativity as they explored the garden, painted freely, and made music daily.

At Ka Hana Pono, we know emotional literacy doesn’t happen by accident. It is cultivated through non-judgmental curiosity, daily opportunities to practice kindness, and a community that models compassion. Even in uncertain times, our keiki were not just safe — they were thriving in environments where empathy, resilience, and connection were actively practiced.

Our connection to ʻāina was also a source of grounding. Outdoor play, sunshine, and the natural cycles of gardening gave keiki stability when the world felt unsettled. For some families new to Hawaiʻi during that time, their children experienced not only the safety of our routines, but also immersion into the cultural values of caring for land, community, and each other.

Looking back, we are deeply proud that Ka Hana Pono became a sanctuary during those years. Whether for first responders who needed care for their keiki, longtime North Shore ʻohana, or families newly arrived to Hawaiʻi, our preschool offered more than childcare. It offered a space of aloha, creativity, and belonging — where keiki were seen, loved, and able to thrive.

If you’d like to learn more about our program, schedule a tour, or join our ʻohana, we’d love to connect with you.

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