Under the guidance of their Kumu, Anzai, Leilehua High School’s Hawaiian Dance Class opened the conference with a Hawaiian ‘Oli titled *Mapu ka hanu o ka ʻIliahi*, which means “asking permission to enter” the space. This was followed by a *kahiko*, an ancient Hawaiian hula, titled *Aia i Haʻili ko lei nani* – “Your beautiful necklace is broken.”

Before the conference began, students gathered for the Resource Table Fair.

Students explored information provided by Joint Military School Liaisons at the Resource Table Fair.

Hawaii State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi kicked off the conference with a warm welcome.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Faurot also participated in the conference, delivering remarks on behalf of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Ms. Sami Takai delivered the welcome remarks at the 8th Annual Conference.

The conference welcomed over 300 guests—our biggest turnout yet!

From left to right: Radford High School Principal James Sunday, Hawai‘i DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi, Ms. Sami Takai, President of the K. Mark Takai Foundation, and Gary Kai, Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Business Roundtable.

Eagle River High School from Alaska joined the conference and gave a presentation on their Transition Centers.

The audience joined in on the interactive game led by Eagle River High School.

Kailua Intermediate School Resource Table

Radford High School Students

2024-2025 Purple Star Awardees

Resource Table Fair

James Campbell High School, 2024-2025 Purple Star Awardee

Ho'okele Elementary School, 2024-2025 Purple Star Awardee

Kailua Intermediate School, 2024-2025 Purple Star Awardee

Kainalu Elementary School, 2024-2025 Purple Star Awardee

Mokulele Elementary School, 2024-2025 Purple Star Awardee

Nimitz Elementary School, 2024-2025 Purple Star Awardee