Johrae Pumehana Park smiles after receiving her Master’s Degree in Education. Photo courtesy UH Maui College

“E kaup�” no i ka hoe a kō mai.” Every paddler — every member of any team — is likely familiar with this ‘olelo no’eau (Hawaiian poetic saying), which translates literally to “Put forward the paddle and draw it back.” More generally, the beautiful mana’o expressed is, “Go on with the task that is started and finish it.”

This was the theme for our Spring 2026 Commencement held earlier this month. Six hundred and fifty certificates and degrees were conferred in disciplines ranging from automotive technology to nursing to creative media and everything in between. In attendance were families, friends, teachers, and counselors — the teammates who paddled with our graduates all along the way.

Commencement speaker Mayor Richard Bissen took up the theme during his inspiring address. “Paddling is not about one powerful stroke. It is about discipline, steady effort, consistency, and continuing forward even when you feel you have nothing left to give. And that sounds a lot like the journey many of you took to get here today.”

That description surely fits most of our graduates and none more so than Johrae Pumehana Park, who was awarded her Master’s Degree in Education. She overcame what seemed like insurmountable odds to reach her milestone.

Born and raised in Hāna, she had to cut short her college tenure on the Mainland to return home and help her family. She was soon the single mother of three children.

“Pūnana Leo (Hawaiian language immersion pre-school) was established in Hāna in 2016 and my daughter Kaia was in the first class,” says Pumehana. “I love my Hawaiian culture and grew up doing a lot of Hawaiian things, but not really learning and speaking the language. After volunteering at Pūnana Leo, I realized I wanted to speak my language and perpetuate my culture by teaching the next generation. I started taking Hawaiian language classes in Hāna through UH Maui College SkyBridge distance learning and never stopped. I enrolled at UHMC for Gen Ed classes online through Hoapili Pathway.” The Hoapili Teacher Pathway program helps those interested in becoming licensed teachers by providing free substitute certification, tuition-free coursework, academic advising, support, and professional development.

“It was all lining up! I took all the Hoapili classes I could. I learned about the BAM (Bachelors and Masters Degrees with Teaching License) and I went for it. I transferred to UH Mānoa and was so fortunate to be able to do all my classes online. This was a game changer for me. I could work, take care of my family, and still complete my education,” says Pumehana.

It may sound like pretty smooth sailing but here’s that first big obstacle. Four years ago, her then 13-year-old son was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, an illness she knew nothing about. Numerous tests on Maui and O’ahu did not provide answers. “We took a leap of faith and went to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford in California (they spent 10 months there) where we learned my son needed a stem cell transplant. By the grace of God, his 10-year-old sister was his perfect match. She courageously gave her stem cells and with lots of prayers, he recovered! He has been healthy ever since,” says Pumehana.

But … “That same year we were told we needed to move out of the house where I lived my whole life,” says Pumehana. “With the help of ʻohana and the community we moved to a new place in Kula to be closer to doctors and my new job as a teacher at King Kekaulike High School. We’ve also established a farm with goats, pigs, rabbits, dogs and a cow, and we grow ʻuala, kalo, banana and my new hobby, succulents.”

Pumehana plans to spend part of the summer in Japan where she will teach hula to elementary school students in Kyoto and explore the country before returning to her first job as a licensed teacher. “I want to go back to school in a year or so to pursue my PhD in Hawaiian Studies. I love learning, I love experiencing new things and I know higher education is where I can get that.”

It seems Pumehana always has a smile on her face. Positivity surrounds her. “I want others to know that education is for everyone and it’s something no one can take from you. It’s yours and it’s what you make it. If you are curious or have always wanted to go back to school, old or young, do it! The things I’ve learned and people I’ve connected with are priceless and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

What better endorsement than that. And, apparently, absolutely no obstacle is truly insurmountable.

For information about the Hoapili Teacher Pathway Program, please visit sites.google.com/hawaii.edu/uhmc-teacher-pathway-program/tuition-free-coursework. For complete information about UH Maui College, please visit maui.hawaii.edu/.

Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. Ka’ana Mana’o, which means “sharing thoughts,” is scheduled to appear on the fourth Thursday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County with information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.