Sharing Aloha Across the World

Each time I open my planner, I am reminded that my Fulbright international field experience is days away, and the thought of pre-departure prep is overwhelming since I’m still juggling end-of-the school year tasks. I’m making a list and checking it twice, but I know I’ll miss something. 

One thing I won’t miss, though, is putting together something truly special: omiyage—a Japanese word for a gift or souvenir that’s commonly used here in Hawaii to describe the thoughtful items we bring when visiting others or the gifts we bring back to share. For our new friends in Uruguay, it’s a meaningful way to share a piece of home and show our appreciation.

When I told my students that I’d be teaching in Uruguay this summer, they were full of questions. So, we had an impromptu geography lesson, followed by a quick YouTube video to help them get a sense of where I was going. I asked them to write postcards and letters to share what life is like in Hawaii and at our school. They leaned into our school’s core disposition of being Inquisitive and filled their messages with thoughtful questions.

My students also made friendship bracelets using pony beads—no tutorial needed! They jumped right in, making bracelets that spelled out words like “aloha,” “seek,” “learn,” and “empower”—all key parts of our school’s vision statement.

To bring a bit of Hawaii with me, I put together a gift for my host teacher filled

with special local items such as a picture book, shirt, stickers, magnets, and a sling bag. My school community was incredibly generous, donating bookmarks, lanyards, and keychains to share. And of course, our school mascot, Kai the Cougar, will be tagging along—taking photos along the way to share with the students when he returns!

I can't wait to share these little tokens of aloha with everyone we meet. It’s going to be such a joy to see the students' faces as they receive these thoughtful gifts. Time to get packing!