One critical key to overcoming the multitude of socio-economic barriers that keep learners in our state from reaching their full potential is to hui up resources and efforts. Coming together through shared vision, educational partnerships and organizational collaborations will ensure we build the educational foundation our keiki deserve.

The alii founders of Kamehameha Schools and St. Andrew’s Schools, Princess Pauahi and Queen Emma, were visionary women who knew that education was an important path to restoring their people.

Deeply committed to the mission of our founders, we uplift our haumana by creating educational, cultural and spiritual opportunities that allow them to thrive.

We know the importance of perpetuating a Hawaiian culture-based education and that our unique curriculum encourages dynamic growth and instills enduring values. We know that when children understand their heritage and identity, they have greater capacity to understand their own potential and recognize their value as change agents of the future.

We share these beliefs. And as our children face the emerging challenges that the rapidly changing, highly complex world we live in presents, we see the path to positive transformation as one of connection, working together to influence an altered and upward trajectory for our keiki and Hawaii. We are better together.

That’s why we are honored to establish the Ke Ali‘i Collaboration, a strategic partnership between Kamehameha Schools and St. Andrew’s schools that provides tuition assistance to The Priory (girls K-12) and The Prep (boys K-6) for current and prospective Native Hawaiian students with demonstrated financial need.

St. Andrew’s Priory maintains an amazing 98-100 percent rate of students continuing to higher education and an impressive college completion rate of approximately 83 percent in six years.

Yet there are more keiki eager to learn and deserving of tools that will help them outpace the unfortunate but real circumstances undermining growth and their ability thrive.

Through the Ke Ali‘i Collaboration, more children of Hawaiian families will benefit from an education that develops intellectual, academic, physical and spiritual potential.

We believe this is a promising example in Hawaii where creative educational partnerships can play a powerful role to transform current day struggles to a future of hope and wellbeing for all.

It is a simple fact that greater access to high-quality education for keiki will have a powerful and positive impact. Expanding college attendance and success rates of Native Hawaiian students increases future workforce talent, reduces Hawaii’s notorious “brain drain” and lays the foundation for a healthier, more resilient community and state. Deliberate collaboration forges the partnerships and networks that will collectively have the strength to create the change, ensuring a beautiful future for Hawaii.

If you would like to see more collaborative partnerships paving the way to the brilliant tomorrow our keiki, our state and all of us deserve, consider joining the cause:

>> As an organization, seek out partners that can help increase education for your students — and if you’re a business, increase outcomes for your employees with partnerships in higher education.

>> As a student, faculty member, administrator or alumni, actively show support for institutions committed to cooperative progress and initiate greater innovative collaboration within your own institution.

>> Donate to organizations actively working to transform education so you participate in the development of pathways to achievement.

It is an honor for St. Andrew’s Schools and Kamehameha Schools to set a precedent for educational collaborations within our state and to stand at the threshold of what will certainly be an era of tremendous positive growth — for when Hawaiians succeed, the state of Hawaii succeeds.

Ruth Fletcher is head of schools of St. Andrew’s Schools, and Jack Wong is CEO of Kamehameha Schools.