2025 KKP Complex Area Summit: Full Schedule

E komo mai!

Welcome to the 2025 Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area Summit! We are thrilled to host the 8th Annual KKP CA Summit at Keaʻau High School Campus, where we’ll come together to inspire, learn, and grow as a collective body.

This year, we are honored to announce our keynote speaker, Nainoa Thompson, Master Navigator and President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Nainoa is a true embodiment of achieving excellence with intention, leading the way for the Hōkūleʻa crew as they prepare for the transformative Moananuiākea Voyage—a bold, four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific.

In addition to Nainoa’s powerful address, we’re excited to offer a variety of breakout sessions featuring dynamic speakers and topics from national, state, and local community agencies, as well as our own Complex Area and school educators. Together, we’ll explore innovative ideas and actionable strategies to support our students, schools, and communities.
Let’s make this summit a time of connection, growth, and shared purpose as we continue to thrive together. Mohala I ka wai ka maka o ka pua - Flowers thrive where there is water, as thriving people are found where living conditions are good. #KKPCA_Thrives

9:30am HST

"Lani & Hōkū- A Multi-sensory Approach to Learning About the Heavens & the Stars"

Friday January 31, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am HST

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(20 PARTICIPANTS ONLY DUE TO SUPPLIES) This hands-on workshop will help participants (teachers, professionals, administrators, etc.) explore ways to support students and families using a multi-sensory approach—engaging smell, taste, touch, and sound. Participants will learn to create immersive learning experiences grounded in Hawaiian language and culture, focusing on the celestial world of the heavens and stars.

Speakers

Lisa Letoto-Ohata

Program Assistant, Na Pua No`eau UH Manoa

Lisa Letoto-Ohata (NPN UHM Program Assistant) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for nearly 15 years and is passionate with working with our Native Hawaiian keiki and wants to see them succeed.

Kinohi Gomes

Program Director, Nā Pua No‘eau-UH Mānoa

Kinohi Gomes (NPN UHM Director) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for over 25 years and is passionate and committed to creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian ʻohana and keiki of all ages.

Christopher Warsh

Support Specialist, Na Pua No`eau UH Manoa

Christopher Warsh (NPN UHM Support Specialist) is the latest Nā Pua No‘eau team member with expertise in detailed program coordination for keiki and 'ohana and using multimedia as a means for program documentation.

Friday January 31, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am HST
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Morning, Supportive Systems and Environments

Audience Grades K-12, K-12 School and Complex Area leadership

9:30am HST

Is Grading Breaking Learning?

Friday January 31, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am HST

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For Upper Elem, Secondary teachers and Instructional leaders: Participants will deepen their understanding of how assessment and grading practices impact student self-efficacy and behavior and take away some assessment strategies used in the service of learning and engagement.

Speakers

Rampal Singh

Test Development Specialist - Science, HIDOE - Assessment Section

Tyler Belanga

Test Development Specialist, HIDOE - Assessment Section

Tyler is a passionate education leader who served for over a decade in middle school ELA and Social Studies classrooms and education nonprofits before joining the HIDOE Assessment Section in June 2023. Currently, he oversees HIDOE's Educator Leader Assessment Collaborative (ELAC... Read More →

Friday January 31, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am HST
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Morning, High Quality Classrooms

Audience K-12 School and Complex Area leadership, Secondary Educators, Upper Elementary Educators

9:30am HST

NotebookLM Your AI-Powered Assistant

Friday January 31, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am HST

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In this session, you'll discover how NotebookLM, an innovative AI-powered tool, can revolutionize your workflow and boost productivity. Explore core functions that allow you to seamlessly integrate diverse sources into your notebooks, and learn how to master its advanced features for greater efficiency and impact. Through hands-on activities, you'll build notebooks designed for different purposes, gaining the skills and confidence to leverage NotebookLM to streamline your processes and empower you to confidently add a powerful new AI tool to your toolbelt.

Speakers

Shane Asselstine

Educational Specialist, HIDOE Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design

Shane is a passionate advocate for leveraging technology to transform learning. With nearly two decades of experience in Hawaii's education system, he has a proven track record of driving successful technology initiatives at all levels. As a Technology Integration Specialist for the... Read More →

Friday January 31, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am HST
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Morning, Supportive Systems and Environments

Audience Grades K-12, K-12 School and Complex Area leadership

10:45am HST

"Lani & Hōkū- A Multi-sensory Approach to Learning About the Heavens & the Stars"

Friday January 31, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am HST

G-109

Speakers

Lisa Letoto-Ohata

Program Assistant, Na Pua No`eau UH Manoa

Lisa Letoto-Ohata (NPN UHM Program Assistant) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for nearly 15 years and is passionate with working with our Native Hawaiian keiki and wants to see them succeed.

Kinohi Gomes

Program Director, Nā Pua No‘eau-UH Mānoa

Kinohi Gomes (NPN UHM Director) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for over 25 years and is passionate and committed to creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian ʻohana and keiki of all ages.

Christopher Warsh

Support Specialist, Na Pua No`eau UH Manoa

Friday January 31, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am HST
G-109

Mid-morning, Supportive Systems and Environments

Audience Grades K-12, K-12 School and Complex Area leadership

10:45am HST

NotebookLM Your AI-Powered Assistant

Friday January 31, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am HST

G-104

Speakers

Shane Asselstine

Educational Specialist, HIDOE Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design

Friday January 31, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am HST
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Mid-morning, Supportive Systems and Environments

Audience Grades K-12, K-12 School and Complex Area leadership

10:45am HST

The Secret to Better School Attendance - Strengthening Belonging and Mental Health

Friday January 31, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am HST

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Secondary School participants will learn how to promote critical thinking in your math classroom and integrate the foundational principles of "Building Thinking Classrooms" with Mathspace through straightforward tasks.

Furthermore, you will discover practical ways to implement "Thinking Classroom Norms," "Visible Random Groupings," and "Thinking Tasks" using simple yet effective strategies. We'll provide hands-on examples and valuable insights to help you kickstart critical thinking in your math lessons. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your math classroom into a hub of active learning.

Speakers

Mike Fauteux

Executive Director and Co-founder, Hawaii Educational Resource Experts (H.E.R.E.)

Michael Fauteux, Ed.M., is the Executive Director and Co-founder of the nonprofit GiveThx, a digital tool, and curriculum that builds school culture and belonging using gratitude. Mike is a 20+ year educator committed to increasing equity in education. He has served as the innovator... Read More →

Aron Schweitzer

Founder, Hawaii Educational Resource Experts (H.E.R.E)

Aron Schweitzer is the Founder and President of Hawai’i Educational Resource Experts, a HIDOE-Approved Services Provider. He has been providing comprehensive support to the educational community of Hawaii since 1999. He provides more than $500,000 of funding to local schools annually... Read More →

Friday January 31, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am HST
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Mid-morning, High Quality Classrooms

Audience K-12 School and Complex Area leadership

10:45am HST

Unpacking the Layers of Student Engagement

Friday January 31, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am HST

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All teachers and instructional leaders; Participants will delve into the multifaceted concept of student engagement. We will explore the interplay of student, content, and teacher and key components of engagement, including behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement. By understanding these layers, educators can align strategies to create more engaging and effective learning environments.

Speakers

Rampal Singh

Test Development Specialist - Science, HIDOE - Assessment Section

Tyler Belanga

Test Development Specialist, HIDOE - Assessment Section

Friday January 31, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am HST
E-113

Mid-morning, High Quality Classrooms

Audience Grades K-12, K-12 School and Complex Area leadership

1:00pm HST

"Lani & Hōkū- A Multi-sensory Approach to Learning About the Heavens & the Stars"

Friday January 31, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm HST

G-109

Speakers

Lisa Letoto-Ohata

Program Assistant, Na Pua No`eau UH Manoa

Lisa Letoto-Ohata (NPN UHM Program Assistant) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for nearly 15 years and is passionate with working with our Native Hawaiian keiki and wants to see them succeed.

Kinohi Gomes

Program Director, Nā Pua No‘eau-UH Mānoa

Kinohi Gomes (NPN UHM Director) has been working for Nā Pua Noʻeau for over 25 years and is passionate and committed to creating opportunities for Native Hawaiian ʻohana and keiki of all ages.

Christopher Warsh

Support Specialist, Na Pua No`eau UH Manoa

Friday January 31, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm HST
G-109

Afternoon, Supportive Systems and Environments

Audience Grades K-12, K-12 School and Complex Area leadership

1:00pm HST

How to Formatively Assess Culture and Connection to Improve Academic Outcomes

Friday January 31, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm HST

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Session participants will understand how to make their school culture visible, practical, and measurable using gratitude science. Using a digital thanking tool and discussion, attendees will experience specific practices and processes to name the values and behaviors they care most about and identify ways to integrate gratitude practices into the school day to reinforce and assess culture and connection. The data produced supports immediate intervention and reporting on strategic plan goal 1.2, the attendance, healthy behaviors, and Nā Hopena A'o components. The session is intended for K-12 school and complex area leadership interested in strengthening their culture and connection work, reporting, and impact.

Speakers