“Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.”
Meet our amazing teachers
Executive Director Miss Paula has been working with children all her life. Raised on the Hamakua Coast and part of a family with 9 sisters and many nieces and nephews and recently welcoming her new baby girl. Miss Paula has been here for over 16 years and enjoys the community family. Prior to joining KHONK, she has worked at Hawaii Community College Children’s Center, while pursuing her AS degree in Early Childhood Education, (2007). Since then she has worked here full time and juggled college to obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, which she received in 2013. She is now enrolled in a Master’s degree program specializing in Child Development. She serves on the Early Childhood Advisory Council for Hawai’i Community College and advocates for this very important field of Early Childhood Education. In her free time, she enjoys anything country and loves the outdoors. She is an adventure seeker and loves sports, hunting, ranching, riding quads, horse riding, crafts, sewing, cowhide, DIY, fishing, camping and beach time. She enjoys spending time with her baby girl, nieces and nephews, her dogs and horses. She looks forward to another year full of keiki hugs, smiles, and laughter with her KHONK Keiki, Family and Community.
Teacher’s Aide Kathleen Walsh was born and raised in San Jose California. Moved to the Waianae coast at the age of 17 and fell in love with living in the islands and the diversity of cultures. She started working at Waianae Coast Day Care and soon was working at the Kamehameha Preschool in Nanakuli. After moving to Hawaii Island she started working for the DOE as a reading tutor while getting her associates degree at HCC. in Hilo. Then she worked as an educational assistant for over 10 years in Hilo and Puna. After moving to Honokaa, she worked for the Montessori Educational Center in Waimea for 5 years. She is thrilled to finally be working with the children in her own community.
Lead Teacher Miss Aisley has been enjoying her time here at KHONK since 2006. She enjoys meeting newkeiki and ‘ohana, as well as welcoming back retu rning ‘ohana. Through the years it has been a delight and great reward guiding and watching keiki grow as they achieve many milestones, developing into independent learners and leaders. Miss Aisley attended Hawaii Community College where she obtained her AS Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently obtaining her BS Degree in Early Childhood Studies at Walden University. She hopes to also obtain a Minor in Child Psychology. Miss Aisley was raised in Pa’auilo, and now resides in Honoka’a with her husband Eric, daughter Aislyn, and son Trystan Eric. During her free time, she enjoys gathering with family and friends, playing volleyball, watching football, lei making, working in her mala (garden), and crafting. She looks forward to many more years at KHONK.
Teacher’s Aide Hali'a Burrows-Bello is originally from the Island of Maui and graduated from H.P. Baldwin High School in the year 2016. She then moved to the Big Island in 2017 and has been here since. On her free time she likes drawing, singing, dancing, knitting, fishing, caring for her many pets, and spending quality time with family. Being around children has always put a smile on her face so having an opportunity like this to teach, explore, learn, and laugh alongside them is the greatest reward in itself for her. She plans on working her way up from a teacher's aide to a certified preschool teacher to continue educating at KHONK and watching each and every child grow and succeed. She is excited and grateful to be a part of KHONK and can't wait to create amazing memories in the years to come.
Teacher Miss Vicky started her journey in Early Childhood in 1998 as a H.I.P.P.Y Program Leader and a P.A.R.E.N.T.S Curriculum Coordinator in Laupahoehoe. Then for the past 19 years at a preschool in Waimea starting as a Teacher’s Aide and later becoming the Head Teacher for their 2 yrs. old program. She currently has her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and hopes to continue her education to earn her degree in Early Childhood Education. Being raised on the Hamakua Coast, Miss Vicky enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her husband, 4 children and grandson. She also enjoys crafting and crocheting. She looks forward to creating memories full of learning, laughter and growth here at KHONK.
Teacher’s Aide Le’anui Alip was born in Waimea, raised in Honokaa, and spent most of her childhood in Waipio Valley. She and her siblings learned many valuable skills during their time in the valley. They learned to plant kalo, fish and she developed other sustainable skills through her grandparents’ guidance. When she was 11 her baby brother was born, and it was at that time she realized how much she enjoyed caring for children. She then graduated from Honokaa High School in 2019 and pursued opportunities in the customer services industry. After a few years in that field, she felt she needed more and realized there would be more fulfillment in a career working with children. Le’anui is excited to be a part of the social and academic growth in the KHONK students and looks forward to being a part of each of their achievements.
Mahalo to Our Founders
Kathleen Oshiro and Patty Andrade-Stout
And, to Our Current Board of Directors
President | Christine Ching
Vice President |. Eileen Ching
Treasurer | Kathy Oshiro
Secretary |. Mina Alcantara Madrid
Interested in working with our keiki?
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