KS Maui Students Honor Founder Princess Pauahi, Raise Scholarship Funds

Photo Courtesy: Dancine Takahashi

Photo Courtesy: Dancine Takahashi

Photo Courtesy: Dancine Takahashi

Kamehameha Schools Maui students got the chance to leave their uniforms at home on Friday. 

Students in all grade levels wore pink to school in an organized effort to raise awareness on breast cancer, which claimed the life of the schoolʻs founder, Princess Pauahi at the early age of 52. 

“Ke Ali’i Pauahi blessed us with such amazing opportunities and we know she was taken from us too soon by an illness that affects many otherwise healthy women,” KS Maui Poʻo Kula (headmaster) Scott Parker said. 

The pink-clad students ended the school day with a march at the high school campus football field. Parker explained that KS Maui senior Mahie Borge organized the entire event as a part of her hōʻike nui, or senior project. 

“We don’t often get to come together as an entire campus so to see the work of our Senior Mahie Borge in bringing our entire school community together for such a worthy event is humbling,” Parker added. 

Borge said the assembly, which included a variety of games and performances, was coordinated entirely by students. 

The goal of the event, Borge explained, was to “provide another opportunity for Kamehameha Schools Maui to build pilina (connections) and student relationships together in remembrance of Pauahi and to celebrate all of the many gifts she gives us and continues to provide us with.” 

Throughout the week, elementary and middle school students participated in “Pennies for Pauahi,” a friendly competition similar to a penny war. Pink wristbands inscribed with “We Walk for Her” and “Mahalo Pauahi” were sold throughout the school.

Students even arranged a “Popsicles for Pauahi” sale at the student snack shop. 

All proceeds from each fundraiser will go to an academic scholarship that Borge started under the Pauahi Foundation. 

Borge is also planning to host an auction at the school’s annual Ho’olaule’a celebration and is currently looking for donations. 

Friday’s event was a part of an all-campus Walk for Pauahi, in honor of the princess.