In this episode of Above the Sides, Denise Karratti, vice principal of Waimea High School on Kauaʻi, shares her journey into education and the sense of kuleana she carries for her community. Denise reflects on the power of “storyfinding,” uncovering meaningful lessons in everyday moments and using them to lead with clarity, humility and aloha. She offers insights from her experience working in a tight knit, multigenerational community, where the impact of education can be seen across decades. Through thoughtful stories, Denise highlights the importance of planting seeds of growth, even when the results may not be visible for years to come. Listeners will find that this conversation is a reflection on how practicing aloha in real, imperfect circumstances is how positive change can take root. Mahalo for tuning in!

Episode Highlights

01:07 Home: Waimea, Kauai

01:53 Why education matters

05:18 From engineering to teaching

08:11 Seeds that grow later

10:53 Cultural revival through games

14:49 Finding Foundations of Aloha

16:36 Intuitive nudges

18:12 Story finding and a lei lesson

26:21 Aloha in action role models

30:31 Practicing aloha in systems

33:27 Hopes for abundance in Hawaii

Welcome to the Above the Sides podcast! Join us on our journey to uncover what it means to think, act, and live aloha. The inspiration for this podcast is the late Pono Shim, former President and CEO of the Oʻahu Economic Development Board. His stories capture the essence of what it means to live aloha. He made it known that aloha is a lifestyle. It is not a solution to problems, a marketing brand or to be used as an advantage over anyone else. Aloha is to be honored and practiced.

The name of this podcast is in reverence of Hawaiʻi's Queen Liliʻuokalani, who wrote: "To gain the kingdom of heaven is to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable – that is Aloha. All things in this world are two; in heaven there is but One.” Through these episodes, we seek to find that singular perspective, the one that is "above the sides" as we strive for universal peace.

We welcome you to pause with us as we share the stories and voices of Hawai’i business leaders, educators and community members who have chosen to be lifelong students of aloha. Mahalo nui loa for listening.