 Aloha Alumni and Supporters! October 30, 2026 Dear ULS Community,We are proud to share our 2025–2026 Year in Review! Grounded in our dual interlocking mission to deliver the best possible education while serving as a seedbed for educational research and development, this publication celebrates the extraordinary achievements of our students, faculty, and staff throughout our K–12 school community. From celebrating 25 years as a Hawaiʻi public charter school and securing a campus facility use agreement with the University of Hawaiʻi, to national recognitions in the arts, athletic state honors, and global peace leadership, our community continues to embody Kūlia i ka Nuʻu (Striving for the Highest) and Holomua (Moving Forward). We invite you to explore our publication to explore the stories, and milestones that made this past school year remarkable. Mahalo to everyone who helped make it possible!  Featured Article Highlights The ULS Peace and Pilina Program (R&D Section, p. 14): Funded by the Stevens World Peace Foundation, nine ULS students participated in an inaugural Hiroshima Peace Study trip to Hiroshima, Japan. The cohort met with Hiroshima’s mayor, offered 1,000 origami cranes at the Peace Memorial Park and represented ULS as ambassadors of peace. ULS / UH Mānoa COE Collaborative Research (R&D Section, p. 13): Highlighting ULS’s lab school mission, faculty member Chris Zorn and COE Professor Dr. Lois Yamauchi co-authored a case study on high school transformative leadership based on research in the Global Leadership Laboratory elective, which was accepted for publication in the International Association of Laboratory Schools (IALS) Journal. Mahalo to Retiring Educators Doug Doi & Katy Bourne (Arts & Athletics, pp. 25 & 30): ULS honors the extraordinary legacies of sculpture teacher Doug Doi, retiring after 49 years of dedicated service, and physical education teacher Katy Bourne (“Ms. B”), retiring after 40 years of service. Inaugural LEIgacy Gala (ULS Foundation Section, p. 36): The ULS Foundation hosted its first annual LEIgacy Gala at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, honoring legendary cafeteria manager Miss Shizumi Kunioka, who served over 3 million lunches to ULS students between 1944 and 1982. Thank you for your continued partnership, dedication, and support of the University Laboratory School. As we reflect on this year, we look forward to the opportunities ahead and another school year filled with growth, learning, and success. With appreciation of your continued support, A. Keoni Jeremiah ‘89 Principal, University Laboratory School Link: 2025-2026 Year In Review Link: ULS Research and Development Webpage (includes YIR publications) Supporting Our Future: As you read through this year’s highlights, please take a moment to visit the ULS Foundation section on page 36. Established in 2013 to support the school’s long-term financial flexibility and sustainability, the Foundation offers meaningful ways for alumni, parents, and friends to support our school’s bright future. You can learn more and make a donation visit ulsfoundation.org. ULS Future Vision Survey Deadline Extended to November 30 Mahalo to everyone who has already completed our survey and shared their thoughts about the future of University Laboratory School. We have extended the deadline to November 30, 2026, so there is still time to share your perspective. As we look toward the future of ULS, we are seeking input from our school community about what we value most about ULS today and what we hope ULS will become for future generations of students. ULS is at an important point in its history. In July 2026, ULS and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa completed a new Facilities Use and Occupancy Agreement (FUOA) that provides an initial three-year term through June 30, 2029, with a mutual option to extend for an additional five years through June 30, 2034. This agreement provides greater stability and certainty for ULS as we continue our work on the UH Mānoa campus. At the same time, conversations continue regarding the future of the ʻEwa Parcel, where the ULS campus is located, and the University of Hawaiʻi’s long-term development and land-use plans. As these discussions evolve, ULS will continue to participate in conversations with University leadership and other stakeholders to ensure that the needs and unique educational mission of ULS are understood and represented. This is an opportunity for us to think beyond our immediate circumstances and consider what ULS should look like five, ten, and twenty years from now. Your personal information will remain confidential, and responses will be aggregated to help us better understand the priorities, hopes, concerns, and aspirations of the ULS community. The information gathered will serve as one source of input to inform ULS’s future planning and participation in discussions regarding the school’s long-term future. Complete the ULS Community Survey The survey can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/w5HpsSNtTBqcSyfEA The survey will remain open until November 30, 2026. Mahalo for sharing your thoughts and helping shape the future of ULS.  ULS Mission: The school serves two interlocking missions: to design and deliver the best possible education to its students, and to serve as a seedbed for educational research and development. Our Vision: The vision of the University Laboratory School is that all students graduate ready for college, work and responsible citizenship. As a public charter laboratory school, ULS strives to model, study, and advance innovative approaches to teaching and learning. To learn more, visit the ULS Website: universitylaboratoryschool.org For more ways to support ULS, visit the ULS Foundation!   Copyright (C) 2026 University Laboratory School. All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: University Laboratory School 1776 University Ave # 3-121 96822-2463 Honolulu, HI 96822-2447 USA |
The ULS ’25 – ’26 Year in Review
