KAHALU'U — Jarold Wong came back to his old elementary school to chop onions and help the cafeteria manager, Auntie Nora Takeno, make the chili.

Five churches pooled resources to help buy school supplies so no child would go without.

And principal Amy Arakaki had hugs for returning students.

Welcome to Kahalu'u Elementary, a small country school with a big heart.

For the past few days, the school has rolled out the red carpet for the new year in its unique way.

On the first day, parents reported with their kids — at 3:30 p.m., so they could not only go through orientation together, but also share a free dinner and talk story with staff, teachers and community counselors. It's the fourth year for the popular "First Night Before School" dinner.

The next day, families of kindergartners gathered for Kinder Kamp — a morning of fun, stories and coloring to ease the transition for the little ones.

"For my son, when I'm involved it seems he likes school more," said Tania Vaiau. "I talked to a couple of parents (in another district) and they said, 'Your school has what? Free dinner?' They'd never heard of that before."

At a time when schools are all but begging parents to participate in their children's education, Kahalu'u Elementary is finding success with a down-home welcome that embraces the whole family.

CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY

One of more than 140 public schools that launched the new year in the last two weeks, it's nestled in a neighborhood where every woman is called auntie and the pupils come to orientation toting 'ukulele and kid brothers.

The school faces a daunting challenge this year: It's among 24 campuses under special Department of Education oversight to improve teaching methods and test scores. That means cramming meaningful educational opportunities into every minute of campus time.

But at Kahalu'u Elementary, even the challenges come with aloha, hugs, prizes for many of the families and enough lei for all the staff and volunteers.

"Having the families involved, the kids feel a lot more excited about school," said Annette Lewis, a mother who works as a surveyor for the city bus system.

"This is a nice transition for them and makes them a little more comfortable," said Kaui Cho, whose daughter Moana was excited to join her family in eating dinner at school on the first night.

The first-night dinner turnout included 60 more parents than a year ago, with attendance verging on 200 for a school of 214 pupils.

"This way they get to see who their teacher is and where their classroom is, so they won't have an anxious night," said principal Arakaki. "And the children know who the people are in the school to help them. We don't want them going off with any stranger."

As families gathered at picnic tables on a lawn edged with ginger, sixth-grader Vaihi Kaonohi plucked an uke. He and nine other pupils, including Kaimana Kaina and Joshua Patberg, were applauded during dinner as recipients of Punahou Summer School scholarships. Beaming with pride, they told the crowd about learning rocket science and flight simulators.

"I was frustrated because I couldn't get the airplane off the ground," admitted Joshua.

'KEEP THE FAMILY CLOSE'

Families came with babies in strollers to pick up school T-shirts and drop off supplies and then stayed for chili. At the same time they had a chance to talk to pastors from community churches or learn about the Huki Like 'Ohana, a union of community groups, or sign up for free afterschool care at the nearby Key Project.

Sam Rodrigues was impressed. "We never had this, growing up," he said. "Now because there's so much homelessness and drugs, we try to keep the family close."

Windward school complex superintendent Lea E. Albert, mingling with the crowd, said there's a definite link between parent involvement and school scores.

"When we have supportive parents, it makes a huge difference," said Albert. "With the intervention plan (for Kahalu'u), we've already seen significant improvements. We used benchmark trackers — a series of tests given last year to see how students would do on the state assessment tests — and youngsters here made significant progress."

While Kahalu'u officials know there is still much to do to emerge from restructuring, they look at this time as an opportunity, not a burden.

"People always look at restructuring as bad," said George Okuda, a retired engineer and chairman of the School Community Council. "But it's an opportunity to grow, to get better. ... With the council, we look at ways to support what they're trying to do. I'm looking at a very exciting school."

Principal Arakaki believes that the school is close to achieving the scores necessary because of assistance from educators at Brigham Young University- Hawai'i as mentors and monitors, as well as a collaboration with Kamehameha Schools to bring new programs to Kahalu'u.

"With all the support we're getting, we're very hopeful," she said.

Arakaki acknowledged that parent participation will wane as the year progresses, but said the school tries to fan interest by continuing to offer familyoriented fun. For example, there is a monthly Movie Night on the big lawn with $2 bento and displays of children's work.

"Building relationships is the key," said Arakaki. "Now our families who were going to other schools are beginning to return."

For Matthew and Cathy Nunes, with four children at Kahalu'u Elementary, including one in preschool, the atmosphere of support is the best they've ever experienced.

"My two oldest children have been to other schools, but it was nothing like here," said Cathy Nunes, taking time during Wednesday's orientation to fit her four boys with their school uniform T-shirts, which keep clothing expenses to $25 per child.

"It's real close-knit and everybody's so caring," she said. "They incorporate all the parents into the act."

Matthew Nunes, a cook at Zia's restaurant in Kailua, agreed. "This school is real together and family-oriented," he said. "They really care about the children and I'm happy about that."

FUN AT KINDER KAMP

Kinder Kamp grew from that caring. The program is so popular that parents now expect to be part of the first day of kindergarten.

"This prepares her basically to associate with other children," said Lei Kalama, whose 5-year-old, Mililani, was heading off to color on large pink sheets with other kindergartners. The youngsters took to the work with delight as parents added their children's names to the papers and wrote "I love you" after them.

Michele Kamanu watched her 5-year-old daughter, Kawehi, pound five colorful pegs into holes in a plastic star as they waited for the program to begin. "It's easy," said the child. "You just have to poke it in."

"This helps them interact before they come into an actual classroom," said her mom.

Already several years old, Kinder Kamp has grown dramatically this year, with 100 percent participation from parents compared to about 70 percent a year ago.

"Kinder Kamp does help in cutting down the anxiety level — for parents as well," said principal Arakaki. " When they send their babies to school, they're really worried."

But as parents gathered with their children on the stairs leading to the stage in the cafeteria, they need not have worried. Especially when counselor Todd Nakaoka stepped forward with a book in his hand and settled down to read "The Kissing Hand" about a raccoon named Chester who was afraid to go to kindergarten.

To ease his fears, Chester's mother planted a kiss in the palm of his hand, telling him to press it to his cheek whenever he was afraid. That way, his parents' love would rush to his heart.

Then Nakaoka taught the families to sign "I love you," watching as 5-year-old fingers flailed the air in quick mastery.

Kindergarten teacher Christie Kloeppel said the programs at Kahalu'u were unique to her after she came back home from teaching on the Mainland.

"It makes school a fun place to be," she said.

Erin Tokoro, another kindergarten teacher, agreed.

"This really helps not to have the tears."