At the seventh annual private schools conference held in Washington, D.C., in September, we joined national educators in a thought-provoking conversation about the public purpose of private schools.

As the idea takes hold at independent schools across the country, we believe that Hawaii can help shape the discussion on expanding educational opportunities for all young people because of our unique history and culture.

Hawaii’s history of public and private education traces back to the mid-1800s. Today, 19 percent of Hawaii children in kindergarten through 12th grade attend a private school, reflecting the diverse choices available to families.

For much of their history, public and private schools in our state have evolved along separate paths. We can no longer continue on this trajectory when Hawaii and America face an educational achievement gap that is the civil rights issue of our time. As a democratic society, we must ask ourselves: How do we teach all children the 21st-century skills — creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication and character — that prepare them for the challenges of the future?

Hawaii has a tradition of "laulima": many hands working together toward a common purpose. Our future as a state and nation hinges on whether schools can work in the spirit of laulima to close the educational divide.

More public and private schools are beginning to explore effective partnerships, in many cases collaborating with community nonprofits. Examples include:

» Hawaii’s "Race to the Top" successful funding award by the federal government specifically connects the mutual resources of public and private schools.

» Private schools are partnering to raise the aspirations and preparation of more of Hawaii’s children to attend college. Through the Clarence T.C. Ching PUEO program at Punahou, students at 38 public and charter schools are working to increase their readiness for higher learning, many as the first college-bound members in their families.

» Private school leaders are helping to build advocacy for early childhood education, encouraging political leaders to give Hawaii’s youngest children a great start in school.

» Private schools are working as partners with Teach for America and in collaboration with public charter schools.

» Kamehameha Schools provides support to 17 Hawaiian-focused charter and conversion charter schools and their 3,880 students. Recently, this has included supporting the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools in helping charter schools gain accreditation. Through its Literacy and Support program and summer Explorations Series, Kamehameha serves 3,500 kindergarteners through third- graders at 21 public schools and more than 3,500 middle-schooler, respectively.

» Private schools are also launching professional symposia and conferences about innovations that invite participation from educators across the state. For example, the Professional Development Center at Hanahau’oli School, with funding from the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, offered courses last summer to 31 public and private school teachers in support of 21st-century skills for the early childhood and elementary levels.

We applaud these and other efforts, which reflect a commitment by school leaders to work collaboratively. We also recognize that there is much more work to be done.

In 2005, an alumnus of Hawaii’s public and private schools returned home to speak to students and teachers. Then-Sen.-elect Barack Obama challenged his audience to a life of public service, asking that they strive to give Hawaii’s children an opportunity to reach their full promise.

Our hope is that private and public schools can work in partnership to improve the future of all Hawaii’s students. We invite you to share your experiences and to join us in nurturing the seeds of laulima within each of our communities.

James K. Scott is president of Punahou School. Rodney Chamberlain is vice president for campus strategic and academic affairs at Kamehameha Schools.