Our Mission
Our mission is to uplift Hawaiʻi’s public school teachers by raising awareness, strengthening school-based support systems, and advocating for meaningful change. As the next generation of leaders, we believe it is our kuleana to support the kumu who shape our futures and our communities by fostering connection, amplifying teacher voices, and mobilizing students to take action statewide.
Nalukai: Where It All Began
KumuKonnect was founded at the 2025 Nalukai Academy Summer Startup Camp, where a group of Hawaiʻi students set out to explore how we could better support our teachers.
Over ten days of mentorship, design thinking, and cultural entrepreneurship, we developed our first idea: KumuKonnect, an app designed to connect teachers, foster collaboration, and build a stronger sense of community in Hawaiʻi’s schools. Our team pitched the concept at the camp’s Hōʻike, sharing our vision of connection and care for educators across the islands.
Post-Nalukai: Pivoting Again
After camp, we continued meeting with Nalukai mentors to reflect, reassess, and learn from our early ideas. Through these conversations, we realized that the challenge we wanted to solve was far more complex than a single platform could address.
That insight shifted our focus from building a product to building understanding. KumuKonnect is now a student-led research initiative dedicated to uncovering the realities of teaching in Hawaiʻi through interviews, data analysis, and economic research.
KumuValues
Kuleana
shared responsibility to uplift our community
Mākia
Do everything with the greater intent in mind
Laulima
collaboration to make the difference
Kōkua
help each other/teachers