Groundbreaking CeremonyMonday, July 1, 2013

Hale Kula Elementary School

Master of Ceremonies Brandon FoxBrandon did wonderfully as the Master of Ceremonies! He was calm, prepared, and poised.

Introduction of Distinguished Visitors

Governor Neil Abercrombie US Senator Mazie Hirono State Senator Clayton Hee State Senator Michelle Kidani State Representative Lauren Cheape State Representative LTC Mark Takai Brigadier General Pete Johnson, 25th Infantry

Division Deputy Commanding General – Operations and Mrs. Sheila Johnson

Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, Hawaii Department of Education

Komary Moss, District Educational Specialist representing Dr. John Brummel, Complex Area Superintendent

Colonel Daniel Whitney – US Army Garrison - Hawaii

Command Sgt. Major Philip Brunwald, US Army Garrison - Hawaii

Gary Willis, Program Manager, Office of Economic Adjustment

Captain Daniel Shebler, Navy Liaison, Office of Economic Adjustment

Principal Jan Iwase introduced the special guests who attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

Governor Abercrombie Speaks

“With the military’s shifting strategic focus on the Pacific, working together in support of schools will be even more important.”

US Senator Hirono Addresses the Crowd

Senator Hirono paid tribute to the dedicated work of Senators Dan Inouye and Dan Akaka who were always supportive of the Armed Forces in Hawaii.

Views of the Audience

The diverse crowd was a mixture of school and DOE staff, the military, legislators, community and family members, and those from the private sector.

Brigadier General Pete Johnson

“I can think of no better way to honor the American taxpayer than to invest in our future – our children.”

Pule by Kahu Kaleo Patterson

Kahu Patterson shared his experiences as a military child prior to performing a traditional pule or blessing.

Untying the Maile Lei

Colonel Daniel Whitney and Principal Iwase untie the maile lei prior to the groundbreaking ceremony.

The maile lei and the golden shovels (Photo courtesy of Laura Winston)

Groundbreaking Ceremony

It’s official! Our $33.2 million construction project is officially underway!

Superintendent Matayoshi

“The federal and state investment in Hale Kula supports Hawaii and our military by helping us bring school facilities into the 21st century – improving the learning environment for not only students, but for the administration and faculty as well.”

Post-Ceremony Photos

Tamsin Keone, Kahu Patterson, Wendy Nakasone, Representative Takai, Senator Kidani, and Senator Hee

Representative Takai, Kahu Patterson, Senator Kidani, BG Johnson, Governor Abercrombie, Principal Iwase, U.S. Senator Hirono, Representative Cheape, and Hiihau

More Post-Ceremony Photos

Governor Abercrombie with Kalea, Kennedy, Nathan, and Brandon

Representative Takai, Randy Iwase, US Senator Hirono, Senator Kidani, and Representative Cheape

Reception in the Library

The beautiful flowers were arranged by Hale Kula staff member Cheryl Horton and utilized flowers from around our campus. (Sorry, we forgot to get photos of the food and the fellowship.)

The architect’s rendering of what the school will look like when completed (the colors may differ from the picture)

Another view of the school – this shows the Media-Resource and Student Support Center with the new 2-story classroom building on the left side of the picture

Appreciations: Hale Kula Custodial Crew Hale Kula Office Staff Public Affairs Office

Groundbreaking Event Committee: Natalie Bradshaw Cathy Ferreira Richard Horita Cherise Imai Brenda Lowrey Wendy Nakasone Dale Yoneda

and toS & M Sakamoto and Bowers & Kubota for the refreshments