Aloha mai kākou!
I was born and raised near the Aloha Stadium in a quaint, isolated neighborhood called Foster Village located in the Hālawa Ahupua’a on the island of O’ahu. My parents were not rich, but what they lacked in finances they made up for in providing a strict yet loving home for me and my three older sisters. Some of my fondest childhood memories include a fixture on our home property, our family’s mango tree. That tree grew up along side of me. Only a sapling when I was born, our 
tree grew bigger and stronger each year, never failing to provide us with ample Hayden mangoes (which are THE best mangoes!). I climbed her branches, used our homemade mango picker (cloth bag on a broken broom handle) to pick her ripe fruit, raked her leaves, and apologized to her when my lackluster volleyball skills caused her fruits to prematurely fall to the ground. Under the mango tree, my family played games, had picnics, told stories, and learned life lessons. We always took family pictures under her shade, as if she were our family member too. Now that I reflect on it, she actually was.
In 2019, my dad joined my mom in heaven, leaving my sisters and I to make the difficult decision to sell our childhood home. The only solace we had in this heart-wrenching decision was the hope that the next family to occupy this special place would be just as blessed as we had been, adding to the positive mana of the space. The day before we turned over the keys to the new owners, I returned to my childhood home alone and hugged my tree. I thanked her for all the years of priceless memories she provided to me and my family. I became the person I am today because of the experiences and relationships that were built under the mango tree.
Here at Leeward Community College, finding time to connect and talk with our colleagues is an important part of building community on campus. However, demands of the job, endless deadlines, and transitioning work practices in order to best serve our students can leave us feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Under the ‘Ulu Tree is a blog site that pays homage to the power of taking time to nurture relationships, just as my family did (and many local families do) under their own mango trees. We reference the ‘ulu or breadfruit because this tree has special significance and 
connection to Leeward at Pu’uloa. It graces our campus grounds and decorates our facades. Under the ‘Ulu Tree provides a space where sharing and encouragement can occur among peers. It is a way to build community, strengthen organizational culture, nurture productive collaborations, and promote creativity, innovation, and fun in the work place.
Here you will find links to:
- Helpful Mentors on campus who are willing to assist you in teaching and learning practices
- Virtual Talk Story Sessions that allow for brainstorming, sharing, and support on hot topics
- The ‘Ulu Branches Resource Clearinghouse where any Leeward employee can share links to educational resources, articles, teaching strategies, wellness tips, or even personal items that inspire us or bring joy.
- The Idea Exchange is the classified ads for collaboration among Leeward employees. Whether you are seeking help and support for your brilliant idea or looking for ways to contribute and lead on campus, this is the site for you.
If you have an idea of what else we should include on this site, contact Erin Thompson at enkt@hawaii.edu. I’d love to hear from you.
Until then, I’ll hope to see you Under the ‘Ulu Tree.
Me ke aloha nui,
Erin Thompson, Innovation Center Coordinator