Ka Leo Alakaʻi O Waikīkī
Under the Protection of Diamond Head
February Habit of the Month - Listening with Empathy
As we step into February 2026, our focus shifts to one of the most transformative Habits of Mind: Listening with Understanding and Empathy.
To channel the perspective of Dr. Art Costa—the co-developer of the Habits of Mind—we have to recognize that listening isn’t just a passive "waiting for your turn to talk." It is a disciplined, active mental process.
From the Desk of Dr. Art Costa: The Heart of Listening
"Highly effective thinkers spend an enormous amount of energy on the art of listening. They don't just hear words; they seek to perceive the thoughts, emotions, and intentions behind them."
When we practice this habit, we aren't just being "nice." We are practicing mental flexibility. True listening requires us to temporarily set aside our own biases, judgments, and the urge to "fix" things. Instead, we devote our full attention to understanding the speaker's perspective.
What does this look like in practice?
Pausing: Giving the speaker space to finish their thought before we react.
Paraphrasing: Saying, "What I hear you saying is..." to ensure we’ve captured their intent.
Empathizing: Recognizing the emotional state of the speaker without necessarily agreeing with their point of view.
By listening with empathy, we build a "common ground" for problem-solving. It is the bridge between isolation and collaboration. When people feel heard, their anxiety decreases, and their capacity for creative thinking increases. This month, let’s challenge ourselves to listen not just with our ears, but with our minds and hearts.
This week, Waikiki joins schools across the nation to celebrate National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). This year’s theme, "School Counselors Amplify Student Success," focuses on the unique contributions school counselors make to help students achieve academic, career, and social/emotional growth.
We know that when parents, teachers, administrators and mental health professionals collaborate, our students are the ones who truly win. We are incredibly proud of our dedicated team:
Mr. Aaron Tomasu: Full-time Elementary School Counselor
Ms. Sarah Harris-Uldall: Part-time Elementary School Counselor
Mrs. Jasmine Young: Counseling Intern & Full-time School Registrar
Mr. Garett Chang: Behavior Health Specialist
Across the U.S., more than 131,000 school counselors are working to guide students toward a bright future. We are honored to have these four individuals right here at Waikiki. Please join us in thanking them for their tremendous impact!
Mr. Aaron Tomasu
Ms. Sarah Harris-Uldall
Mr. Garett Chang
Mrs. Jasmine Young
Mahalo Basketball Players and Families
Huge thank you to our players who gave it their all at the Kalani Complex Invitational this past Sunday! Your sportsmanship and hustle were truly inspiring. A big mahalo to the families who cheered from the sidelines and volunteered their time.
Got Photos? We want to see them! Please upload your favorite shots to [Insert Link] for a chance to be featured on the school’s digital bulletin board and in the upcoming 2025-2026 yearbook.
2026 School Quality Parent Survey link
Dear Waikiki Parents and Guardians,
We want to hear from you! Last year, our parent SQS participation rates were lower than hoped—this year, we are aiming to hear from every family. Your feedback is the most direct way to help us and the Hawai'i DOE understand what’s working and where we can improve for your children.
The survey is open now through March 12, 2026. It only takes about 8–10 minutes, and your responses are 100% confidential.
📝 How to Participate
Where: Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026SQSParent
Access: You will need your child’s first, middle, and last name initials and their grade level to begin.
Note: If your child has no middle name, please enter "#" in that field.
Language: The survey and a letter from Superintendent Keith Hayashi are available in 15 different languages at the link above.
💡 Quick Tips
Complete in one go: The system does not allow you to save and resume later.
One per child: You may submit one survey for each child enrolled in grades K-12.
Be heard: If a question doesn’t apply or you aren’t sure, feel free to select “N/A.”
This survey is for K-12 parents only. (Pre-K families, you can sit this one out!)
Questions? We are here to help!
Phone: (808) 307-3650 (7:45 am – 4:30 pm, M-F)
Toll-Free (Neighbor Islands): (855) 276-5801
Email: osip-accountability.support@k12.hi.us
Thank you for being our partner in education and for helping us make Waikiki School the best it can be!
Sincerely,
Mr. Kusuda
About Us
Email: ryan@waikikischool.org
Website: waikikischool.org
Location: 3710 Leahi Avenue, Honolulu, HI, USA
Phone: (808) 305-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaikikiSchool
Twitter: @WaikikiSchool