Lava ravaged the Big Island last year, particularly the lower Puna area, where hundreds of families lost their homes. People were displaced and some never returned to their island homes.
But in the aftermath of the 2018 Kilauea eruption, one nonprofit school is finding its renewal from the lava and volcanic ash.
The Malamalama Waldorf School in Hawaiian Paradise Park is building a new school library and facility for its 110 students, teachers and community to play the ancient Japanese strategy game “Go” on top of the lava rock.
A treasured collection of donated books that were in storage or crammed on office bookshelves since the 2014-15 Kilauea eruption that threatened Pahoa will again find a new home for the whole school community to enjoy.
“This building is the culmination of a vision and much hard work, completely held by our community,” said Malamalama Waldorf kindergarten teacher Allyson Anthony.
Anthony said the building was constructed using reusable, donated materials, while many local businesses offered their labor and services to the school free of charge.
“This unique space is a mirror of earlier classroom spaces that were built in the 1980s that are circular or complex geometric shapes,” she said. “In a way, this new, unique, hexagonal-shaped building is the same shape and form as this community, where everyone is equal.”
The octagonal structure at the now 41-year-old school, also reflects the practices of the arts-based, child-centered education movement that is in its 100th year after starting in 1919 in Stuttgart, Germany.
With more than 1,100elementary and high schools and 2,000 early learning programs worldwide, Waldorf is the single largest independent education movement. Malamalama is the sole Waldorf school on the Big Island.
Today (Sept. 19), Malamalama Waldorf School invites the East Hawaii community to gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new library and commemorate the milestone of 100 years of Waldorf education.
State Sen. Russell Rudderman, Mayor Harry Kim and former county council member Jennifer Ruggles will be among community leaders to attend the 11 a.m. celebration.
Formal speeches will be followed by student presentations, a community potluck meal, games of “Go” and an open house invitation to tour the school, which offers open enrollment year round.
The school is located at 15-1834 Makuu Drive in Keaau.
For more information, call 982-7701.