“For there is always light if only we are brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it.” - Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate
“When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it.” - Michelle Obama
Aloha
When We Shine Foundation is a fully accredited 501(c)(3) non-profit based on the island of Maui, in the state of Hawaiʻi. Mission: To provide opportunities for young people to develop skills in environmental stewardship & leadership through arts education. Our work offers visual & auditory, multi-media representations of the voices & stories of the young people who are changing the world.
Our latest
Nuestro Valle, Everyone Belongs
Mid-Valley Elementary is a bi-lingual school, with over 80% of students of hispanic origin, in an abundant farming and fruit belt in Oregon. The song they wrote describes their life in both the school and with their families in the surrounding mountains and rivers, called Nuestro Valle, Everyone Belongs!
HANA DAYS GONE BY (Aunty Punaʻs Song)
Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement. ~ Golda Meir, Former Prime Minister of Israel
The Keiki Covid Campaign Project
Heart of Aloha Music Video
Artists are awesome!
Everyone can be an Artist and/or support the Arts – whether musical, visual, digital or performing – The Arts play an important role in Movements for social change.
We commend and recognize Artists for their audacity to dream, and for their commitment to help spur dynamic social justice. We are grateful for your dedication to helping make the world a better place!
Donʻt just take our word for it...
★★★★★It is just TOO MUCH!!!! I will cherish this video forever!
The kids have been writing scripts and practicing for the premiere all week. They even made flyers. Olali’s Mom emailed me and said that she printed like 50 flyers and was handing them out to strangers hahahahahh!
Thanks to all of you for being the highlight of my school year!
May, 2021
Brit Oliphant, 4th Grade Teacher![]()
Kula Elementary School, Kula, HI
★★★★★OH EMMMM GEEEEEEE!!! I'm sitting here crying my eyes out and my daughter says. "Wow mom, you're your students biggest fan!" WAAAHHHHHH
This (music video) looks amazing. I can't wait to share it on Friday.
May, 2021
Amanda Shim, Teacher![]()
Kula Elementary, Kula, HI
★★★★★“As the Executive Director of Hana Arts, a nonprofit organization in East Maui, I can attest to how beneficial and deeply impactful the When We Shine Foundation program has been for our rural and underserved keiki. Melinda Caroll, Rae Takemoto, and Shelley Toon Lindberg came to Hana School in January of 2022 to engage the students in song composition and illustration of the theme: Our Kūpuna, and the ʻĀina. ...I was surprised to see how well the team integrated into the classroom and how the children blossomed under their instruction." ..."We are honored and excited to work with the When We Shine team again and give our highest recommendation for them.”
March, 2022
Becky Lind, Executive Director, Hana Arts![]()
Executive Director, Hana Arts
★★★★★“I love this program! I see how this project has impacted the social emotional learning of the students. This kind of project is absolutely fantastic, because first of all, (itʻs gonna make me cry), because, they can identify with their roots. They need strong anchors of who they are and where they come from, because in their life, their family lives are struggling. Theyʻve witnessed domestic violence and abuse, thereʻre tons of stories, ...and theyʻre hurting. So by anchoring them in their roots, by letting them learn and have fun – itʻs wonderful! Itʻs been a blessing for me to watch them in this project!”
May, 2022
Debra Wyse, Student Counselor![]()
`Īao Middle School, Wailuku, HI
★★★★★"Raising your voice is a courageous act in this world. Telling your story by singing your song invites the community to a shared understanding in a language that communicates the message even louder and stronger.
My passion and art is to engage children as the creators and protectors of their world, to help them weave new stories of the earth and of each other in a way that’s playful, inclusive, emotionally expressive and hopeful!. There is nothing more inspiring than that for me!" Melinda Caroll
Melinda Caroll![]()
Music Arts Teaching Artist, Kula, Maui, Hawaiʻi
