New tutors in the Lahaina Complex After School Enrichment Tutor Project received training on Aug. 10.

LAHAINA — Twenty-three Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences Kapalua Bay employees have volunteered to tutor at Lahaina Intermediate School, one component of the Lahaina Complex After School Enrichment Tutor Project.

Ritz-Carlton — in a bold, innovative step in corporate policy — will provide volunteer service at our nation’s intermediate schools, said project Director Pat Endsley.

“The Lahaina Complex After School Enrichment Tutor Project will be greatly enhanced this school year when 23 Ritz-Carlton employees join the 75 Lahaina adults and 60 Lahainaluna High School student tutors, who provide free after school tutoring for students in grades three through ten in our four Lahaina public schools,” noted Endsley, who founded the program with her husband, Richard.

Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Vice President and General Manager Tom Donovan reached out to Lahaina Intermediate School Principal Marsha Nakamura and Pat to offer their services.

Resort Director of Learning Robert Hudgins and Human Resources Manager Noah Unger organized the employees to visit the tutor programs during the spring quarter, and this summer they recruited and organized “an incredible cadre of volunteers,” Pat commented.

On Aug. 10, Linda Quinn, Andrew Kutsunai and Pat and Richard Endsley held an orientation and training session for Ritz-Carlton volunteers, “who displayed tremendous energy and enthusiasm,” Pat said.

On Tuesdays, the employees will tutor seventh- and eighth-graders in math. On Wednesdays, they will help sixth-graders with ancient civilizations and test taking practices in reading and seventh-graders in Hawaiian history and Pacific Islands and reading test taking practices. 

The team of 157 tutors will begin their volunteer work with 300 students on Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 27-29. Students who score just below mastery on the Hawaii State Reading and Math Tests will be invited to participate.

Some students who have been in the program in the past year and signed up for tutoring will also receive acceptance letters and contracts.  

Letters will be sent home beginning Aug. 19 at the two elementary schools and from Aug. 19-25 at Lahaina Intermediate School.  

Ninth and tenth grade boarders at Lahainaluna High School will begin tutoring on Wednesday, Sept. 15.  

Due to limited space, students in grades 3-8 will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents should submit signed contracts to the school PCNC facilitator as soon as possible.  

Parents will be notified regarding confirmation or if the student is on the wait list. Parents should contact the school PCNC facilitator if they have questions or need further information.

Parents and students will be introduced to tutors and the programs during the week of Sept. 20 at school orientation meetings: Tuesday, Sept. 21, Lahaina Intermediate School grades 6-8 in the cafeteria from 6 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 22, King Kamehameha III School grades 3-5 in the cafeteria from 6 to 7 p.m.; and Thursday, Sept. 23, Princess Nahienaena School grades 3-5 in the cafeteria from 6 to 7 p.m.

“The project welcomes staff from the Ritz-Carlton. We thank the school principals and staffs for their exemplary cooperation and support of this community volunteer project. We look forward to continuing to increase reading and math literacy for our Lahaina youngsters,” Pat commented.

“We thank all the volunteers for their dedication and valued services as we enter year ten in the project. Students and parents are also thanked for their commitment to working together with our volunteers to make a positive difference in their lives. We look forward to another successful school year.”