Growing Together, One Summer at a Time, at 15 Craigside

Every summer, something special happens at 15 Craigside in Honolulu as the community leans into hoopili (Hawai‘ian for “to bring together” or “stick to”). The hallways fill with a little more laughter, the complex’s solarium comes alive with the sound of taiko drums and the gentle sway of hula, and for three days, the distance between generations disappears entirely.

Now in its fourth year, the Hoopili Summer Camp was held June 2-4, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. The camp welcomed children and grandchildren of 15 Craigside staff, ages 6 to 16, for a celebration of culture, connection, and community.

Together, residents and keiki (children or offspring) shared experiences in taiko drumming, hula, line dancing, bon dancing (communal circle dancing), plantation-style games, cooking, and ikebana (the art of flower arranging). These activities become more than just lessons: they create opportunities for conversation, learning, and connection across generations, with meaningful traditions and stories pass from one generation to the next. 

The camp finished on June 4 with a Celebration of Works from 1-2 p.m.— with a showcase that brought residents, employees, and families together to celebrate all that had been learned and created.

Because when kupuna (honored elders) and keiki learn side by side, everyone walks away a little richer.