For Island School students, Friday was a time of celebration, looking into the future, and giving back as they celebrated the 28th birthday of the school.
School Principal Robert Springer welcomed guests and the approximately 300 students to the celebration by saying, “Our purposes are several: first, to renew our awareness of our origins. What we are now is a result of what we were then.”
“Second, to take stock of our current status, a full panoply of educational services for 300 students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, and third, to note plans for further development – a Hawaiian Educational Center, a gymnasium and locker rooms, a new road to alleviate traffic congestion, and fourth, to offer ho‘okupu, an ancient Hawaiian tradition, the act of giving in appreciation for having received so much.”
Three of the Island School founders, Lindsay Kamm, who was also the school’s first principal and served as President of the Board of Directors, Rochelle Karter, and Peggy Ellenburg were also acknowledged in the school assembly that kicked off the day long celebration.
Springer outlined some of Island School’s growth, noting that from June, 2000 to last spring, Island School has graduated 71 students, many still in college, attending 39 different institutions of higher learning across the Mainland and Hawai‘i.
“And, what about the near future?” Spring continued. “Today, we are announcing publicly our fund-raising efforts to raise $6 million to construct a Hawaiian Center for Culture and the Arts, a full-sized gymnasium and locker rooms, and a new road into the campus.”
Springer noted that to date, over half of the amount needed for the new construction has been raised – $3.4 million of the $6 million goal.
The school’s Board of Directors have taken the lead with all 20 members contributing for a total pledged amount of $500,000. Major donors also include the HKL Castle Foundation who propose a $500,000 contribution if other foundations, trusts, and businesses would match their contribution. This excludes the Board of Directors’ contributions.
Springer noted that this challenge has been met. Other contributors include the Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Eleemosynary Trust, the Carruthers Family Foundation, and the Atherton Family Foundation.
There are also 30 other trusts, foundations, businesses, and individuals who have contributed amounts to the fund, and Grove Farm donated 8.5 acres of land valued at $428,000 in honor of the President of the Board, David Pratt.
Springer announced, “Today marks the beginning of our focus on the larger community, including parents. Now, we are asking for contributions from the larger community.”
Depending on the permitting process, Springer said ground breaking for the new construction should take place later this spring.
Springer said there would be no classes, Friday, as following the ceremonies, students from different grades would be dispatched into the community for a variety of service projects as a means of ho‘okupu.
Sarah James, president of the Elementary Student Council, said they will be sharing the gift of reading with each other and the community.
Additionally, they will write thank you notes to authors who have inspired young people to read, and as a final gesture, will participate in a lower campus litter pick-up and individual classroom cleaning.
The Middle School students, under teacher Michelle McGregor, will be packing boxes destined to provide aid to the International Tsunami tragedy.
Boxes of donated items collected by the school will be sent to Sri Lanka since one of the school’s teachers, Jessica Lenton, was born there.
Donated items include batteries, aspirin, toiletries, bedding, books, and many other items.
Freshman students trekked to the Kaua‘i Humane Society for a day of yard work and maintenance duties that also included cleaning animal kennels and preparation of craft projects for visitors and educational programs.
Sophomore students were destined to the Regency at Puakea where they spent the day entertaining the residents during the lunch hour as well as washing the facility’s mini bus and staff cars.
Junior and Senior students were out in Po‘ipu with the juniors cleaning up trash and debris at the popular Po‘ipu Beach Park while the seniors worked at the Makauwahi sinkhole at Maha‘ulepu, working with the caretakers there before embarking on a general shoreline cleanup.
“This is indeed a time of celebration, of proclaiming together our unity and pride. We are Na Mea Lanakila, mighty voyagers, sailing into the future.
“Hoe aku i ka wa‘a – continue the work, share the load, go forward with confidence and excitement. Imua, imua, imua!” Springer concluded.
Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) and dfujimoto@pulitzer.net
