As a co-founder of both HAAS and ASC, I am grateful for the continued honor, since 2001, to help greet teachers as a new school year opens. Every year shows progress in how and where we work, learn and strive to thrive together. Sharing ASC's purpose and reciting the HAAS purpose, vision, and mission together was a strong start. The Waldorf-style opening circle to share names, roles, and time at HAAS, and inviting HAAS alumni (~10%) to raise their hands was a real ipu-filler, along with making connections in casual conversations.
Our Puna community is growing rapidly and I invite you to please get to know each other and the radiant spectrums of unique skills and genius that are present!
Day 2 teachers and staff opened with a visit to the campus Learning Garden, nearly 100 together for the first time, and practiced the entry protocol. We all have more to learn and reflections on the value of this special place on main campus filled most of us with inspiration - mahalo to Wendy Baker and Dani Preston for hosting us, and to everyone who visited, reflected and shared!
So, with attitudes of gratitude giving us latitude to be who we need to be and do what we need to do - an opening practiced at Shady Grove before HAAS came to be - I invite you to greet everyone as life-long learners in these often quickly changing times.
Learn, grow, create, and join ASC in our efforts to do the same! Try ASC (ask) if there is something you notice that will enhance our future - that is how campus and programs continue to grow and serve in Puna!
A hui hou - learn more at hiasc.org
~Mahalo!
Gail Clarke
Our Summer in Review...
ASC was honored to offer another incredible Summer Program thanks to grant support.
This year, we provided fair wages to over 20 talented local staff members who brought their skills and passions to 100 students from public, charter, and homeschool settings — all at no cost to families.
Kids connected across grades, from 2nd to 11th, and shared in:
Collaborative games and team-building
Arts exploration — from ceramics and Japanese stitch work to therapeutic play
Global and local cuisine — harvesting from the garden and cooking dishes from around the world
STEM and garden immersion
Outdoor skills — archery, fishing, air-riflery
Choreography
Free transportation for over two dozen students
Daily lunch for everyone, also funded by the grant
As we reflect on the summer, we’re celebrating the transformation and growth we witnessed — in kids and adults alike. The power of merging these ages and backgrounds on a landscape of choice-based exploration, for this short slice of time, cannot be overstated. We were able to create a culture of expression and joy as well as respect and care - for not only one another but also ourselves.
“This program had a life-changing impact on my daughter. She came out of her shell and looked more alive day to day.”
Kaukau 4 Keiki
ASC was able to help distribute food to over 100 households for six weeks over the summer through Vibrant Hawai'i's K4K program. Support from HAAS' Staff and Workplace Readiness crew, parent volunteers and a team of student summertime workers made it all possible.
Meet Our New Executive Director
ASC is honored to welcome Kendra Tidwell as our new Executive Director. She follows in the remarkable footsteps of our founder, Gail Clarke, who is beginning her well-earned transition into retirement after 25 years of visionary leadership for ASC and HAAS.
A proud graduate of Pahoa High School and UH Hilo, Kendra brings a rich background spanning marketing, sustainable agriculture, youth mentoring, legislation, and — most notably — organizational development and consulting. Her deep commitment to artists, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities is already guiding ASC into an inspiring new chapter of community-based support.
Outside the office, Kendra is a classical violinist, aspiring art collector, and die-hard foodie—proof that her creativity extends well beyond her job title.
Campus Development
ASC has begun the process to renovate our 24 acre site. This summer along the highway we began a preliminary phase to create a play field area, increase parking, clean up drainage on-site and address some tree safety issues. Our Master plan for the K-12 campus is displayed on the website, go check it out. Major increases in Community event space as well as Performance Spaces are planned in the near future. Stay tuned for future project updates!
After years of planning and design, we’re preparing to present our proposed permit amendments to the Windward Planning Commission. You can make a significant difference by submitting a letter of support by clicking the button below and replacing with your contact information and emailing the .pdf file back to info@hiasc.org. Letters from community members like you help the Commission understand the value of this development and the role ASC plays in our area.
Clubs for the 2025-2026 School Year are beginning to roll out! We will open the week of August 18th with three of our staple clubs: Garden, STEAM, and Academic Support.
Welcome Marcene Ogawa facilitating our STEAM Club Mondays through Thursdays 2:30p-4:30p. We have really found a gem in Marcene. The STEAM club will be enhanced with her intelligence, thoughtfulness, and creativity at the helm.
Welcome Darlene Carter facilitating our Academic Support Mondays through Thursdays from 2:30p-4:30p. Darlene is a wonderful addition to our team with her warm and engaging approach to supporting students.
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