Expansion needed
Within the Hilo area and across the state, E.B. deSilva Elementary has long stood for excellence in education. We remain a beacon of hope for the children of over 300 parents.
However, we are presently faced with the fact that our campus is so popular in Hilo our enrollment has far exceeded our capacity.
E. B. deSilva was designed to accommodate 375 students. Our present enrollment stands at 487 — and growing!
Clearly, we are in urgent need of additional classroom space. Every possible nook and cranny on campus is already dedicated to serving our students. Our School Community Council and PTA have been active in stressing the need with state Reps. Mark Nakashima, Chris Todd, and state Sen. Kai Kahele.
Rep. Nakashima has taken a lead role in introducing a bill to the state Legislature that would provide funding to construct the much-needed classroom space. We are hopeful that the bill will receive state Senate approval this school year. If not, our ability to provide one of the most effective school experiences in the state will be compromised.
As you meet with our elected officials, we humbly encourage you to help us stress this need. Our goal is to continue providing a top-notch elementary education for our students in the Hilo community.
Dennis O’Brien
Principal, E. B.
deSilva Elementary
Mahalo for memorial
Are you aware of the World War II, Korean and Vietnam Memorial in Kalakaua Park in downtown Hilo? Curiosity made me walk over to the memorial to check it out. To my shock and surprise, I found the name of my brother engraved on the marble stone along with dozens of names of the other young men from Hawaii who did not return from those wars.
For years, my mom and dad grieved over the fact that we were not able to visit a grave for my brother. It’s really too bad that they were not aware of the memorial at Kalakaua Park.
Over the years, they would toss a lei over the Wailuku Bridge in memory of my brother, whose plane crashed in the Pacific.
I made many calls to the mayor’s office, county Parks and Recreation Department and the local veteran’s office to ask why there was no flag or light at the memorial. I was told that an independent group in Hilo was responsible for the memorial.
I wish I were able to meet and thank the above group in person, but understand that they prefer to remain anonymous.
On behalf of my entire ohana, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did. We finally have closure.
Mona Carter Wong
Hilo
