The Organization
Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy (HBA) is a K-12 Christian school in Honolulu, serving approximately 1,100 students from preschool through twelfth grade on its Oʻahu campus. Identity formation is a deliberate thread woven throughout their academic year, highlighted by events like their dedicated ReFocus day, designed to bring the entire school community into a posture of reflection, faith, and renewal. HBA's leadership team prioritizes depth, actively seeking profound content that the school can return to and utilize for professional development long after guest speakers leave the stage.
The Engagement
What began as single speaking invitations has grown into a multi-year, ongoing partnership that impacts students, parents, and the full faculty and staff.
Christian Emphasis Week: Michele and the Releasing Generations team have led multiple assemblies for both middle and high school students.
Parent Workshops: Michele has guided several workshops for middle school parents, equipping them with the language to discuss identity, worth, and the real pressures their children face.
Brave & Beautiful Pilot: Michele led a weekly lunch-period pilot group for secondary-aged girls, working through the entire set of Brave & Beautiful volumes to give the material a real classroom test with the exact demographic it was written for.
ReFocus Day & K-12 Teacher Training: In January 2026, Michele and her teaching partner Joshua Kaina spoke to the HBA community for ReFocus day, drawing on the Brave curriculum, Explicit Movement teachings, and the testimony-driven work she co-authors with her husband, Rob. Later that month, Michele and her team trained HBA's entire teaching staff of about 150 educators. The content resonated so deeply that the school requested to keep the presentation slides for internal professional development, a request confirmed in writing by HBA's Tony Traughber.
The Outcome
The most honest measure of a school's engagement is whether the institution wants the content to stay. HBA leadership successfully used the handouts Michele's team created as the foundation for their next two teacher trainings, and the administration is now exploring ways to implement the Brave Together curriculum following the successful girls' pilot.
By June 2026, HBA senior team members provided the following endorsements regarding the partnership:
"I have nothing but positive things to say about Explicit Movement Ministries. As the principal of a Christian elementary school, I am constantly aware of the many competing worldviews that challenge a biblical perspective. Michele Okimura and her team provided our faculty and staff with exceptional training and resources that addressed sensitive cultural topics with care, love, and support while remaining firmly grounded in God's Word and biblical truth. Our leadership team searched across the country for a resource that could effectively equip our staff to navigate the cultural issues impacting our school community. We were grateful to discover Explicit Movement Ministries. Michele and her team developed a professional development training that was both practical and impactful, providing real-life scenarios and valuable resources that our staff could immediately apply. If you are a Christian school seeking faith-based professional development that is biblically sound, practical, and supportive, I highly recommend Michele Okimura and the team at Explicit Movement Ministries. They will come alongside your school, equip your staff, and help you confidently address today's cultural challenges through a biblical lens."
Emmet Winters, Principal, Elementary School, Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy
"Explicit Ministries has been an outstanding partner to our school community. Michele and her team have provided multiple training sessions and professional development opportunities for both our students and faculty on a wide range of important topics. Every presentation has been engaging, relevant, and thoughtfully delivered. What sets Explicit Ministries apart is their ability to address complex and often challenging subjects with remarkable clarity, while consistently communicating truth, grace, and love. Their approach creates a safe and meaningful learning environment that resonates with students and adults alike. In addition to their presentations, Explicit Ministries has provided practical resources that we have successfully implemented within our school. The materials are well-designed, easy to use, and communicate key concepts with a level of clarity that would have taken us countless hours to develop on our own. Looking back, I only wish we had partnered with Explicit Ministries sooner. Michele is a true professional and a joy to work with. She and her team genuinely come alongside schools, offering support, expertise, and encouragement every step of the way. I highly recommend Explicit Ministries to any school seeking a trusted partner to help navigate today's most important conversations."
Danford Chang, Director of Counseling, Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy
Work with Michele.
If you lead a school, church, or organization and want to bring this kind of work to your community, please reach out. Michele will follow up with you personally.
- Based in
- Honolulu, HI