Editor’s note: Seventh-graders at Hilo Intermediate School wanted to publicly thank essential workers on the Big Island and beyond. These are some of the students’ open letters to essential workers. The newspaper will publish more of them next Wednesday.
I would like to thank all the nurses and doctors around the world, and especially in our island community, for keeping everyone safe and healthy in these scary times.
I recognize that you selflessly put yourself at risk every day that you go work to protect us all. I also know that the work you do is very difficult and tiring, so I feel that I speak for everyone when I say that I’m so grateful for all the hard work that you do!
I wish you safety and good health as you continue to protect our community.
— Clara
I would like to express my greatest appreciation to all essential workers during this unforeseen pandemic.
So, whenever you are feeling stressed or down during this time, please remember that it is because of you that families have food on their tables, medical assistance when feeling ill, toilet paper to fill every bathroom, disinfectants to keep households and businesses COVID-19 free, hand sanitizer and hand soap to wash away those germs, and all essential products for our day-to-day needs.
Yes, it was you who provided to our community. Every essential worker makes a difference. So, thank you for putting your life on the line to serve our community.
— Kaylan
My name is Anela, and I am a student at Hilo Intermediate School.
I wanted to express how grateful I am for those serving on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of these essential working angels, we can move on and continue living our lives.
The risk they are taking with ensuring we have essential care, supplies and services — knowing this could potentially make them ill, but still doing it anyway — is beyond anything we could ever ask for. Some have no choice, because it is their duty, but a majority do it because they are dedicated to helping others and are willing to sacrifice their own lives, as well as their own families at home, for the sake of others.
To these essential working angels, I would like to send a big mahalo from our Hilo Intermediate ohana, as well as the rest of the world.
You deserve so much for all you have done for everyone, and we thank you for continuing to provide your services.
— Anela
I would like to thank all of the essential workers for keeping us safe in times like these. You always make sure that Hawaii keeps running, and you keep the people protected. I am very grateful for people like them.
The people who stay strong during times like these are the ones who are going to make it out stronger and better than before. They go out there every day not knowing what might happen to them.
As the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”
When Hawaii and the rest of the world get through this crisis, humanity will be that much stronger because all of the essential workers will have kept us safe. From police officers to firefighters, nurses to mailmen, everybody plays a role in keeping Hawaii protected.
Even the cashiers at KTA or Target make a difference in Hawaii.
If everyone does their part to stop the spread of the virus, it would be easier for the essential workers to do their part. Once again, I would like to thank the essential workers who always keep us protected.
— Reyn
Thank you to all the essential workers who are risking a lot for the safety of the residents on this island. We are very thankful for your help in the community during these critical times.
What I mean is, you are making us feel and know that there will be a positive outcome with your help. So, thank you for all that you do for this community.
— Jaymie
I have an aunty who works at the HFS Federal Credit Union in Hilo, and I would like to thank her for all that she does for the community.
It’s really scary to have to be around so many people at a time like this. You don’t know if you’re bringing the virus home to your family, which can be scary.
She works hard there, and I think she really deserves a thank you in this significant way.
— Sadee
