Outdoor classroom dedicated at Eleele School

ELEELE — There were many lessons learned during construction of the hale (house) at the entrance to Eleele School.

“This is the culmination of an 18-month journey that started with a student,” said Principal Paul Zina, who was among those who participated in the blessing of the hale Friday.

“After Chad Schimmelfennig heard about the student’s comment, he reached out into the community and got the help of Kaina Makua and other community partners to make this happen,” he said.

The hale was a result of an exchange between two students.

“One day, one of the students blurted out, ‘Why can’t we have an outdoor classroom?’ to which another student replied, ‘We don’t even have an outdoor classroom. Don’t even ask,’” Zina said.

Schimmelfennig heard about the incident and something sparked his mind, discussing the idea with Makua and others.

“On the day Chad and the students decided to start, there was a fire in the lo‘i that destroyed the large hale located in Makaweli,” Zina said.

“The students were involved in re-building the hale, realizing that if they could do the big hale, a smaller one at Eleele School was possible.”

Students from Schimmelfennig’s class joined forces with Florence Langaman’s fifth-grade class, Brittney Ishibashi and Missy Peck’s second-grade class and teachers and parents.

They worked during class, after school and on weekends.

Sabra Kauka officiated over the traditional Hawaiian blessing that involved spring water from her moku and salt from Aunty Janet Kahalekomo’s salt pans at Salt Pond.

Makua also led the students in the hale finishing protocol and the ritual lifting the kapu of entry into the new building.

“All the while, there were lessons being learned that no one can get in textbooks,” Zina said.

“When a student who worked on the project leaves, this goes with him, and stays with him.

“He’ll bring his children, and grandchildren back to where the hale is and talk about the experience. This is learning that stays with them.”

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.