2. Master of Ceremonies Brandon Fox
Brandon did wonderfully as the Master of Ceremonies! He was calm, prepared, and poised.
3. 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.
4. Governor Abercrombie Speaks
“With the military’s shifting strategic focus on the Pacific, working together in
support of schools will be even more important.”
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Brigadier General Pete Johnson
“I can think of no better way to honor the American taxpayer than to invest in
our future – our children.”
8. Pule by Kahu Kaleo Patterson
Kahu Patterson shared his experiences as a military child prior to performing a
traditional pule or blessing.
9. 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)
11. 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.”
12. 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
13. More Post-Ceremony Photos
Governor Abercrombie with Kalea,
Kennedy, Nathan, and Brandon
Representative Takai, Randy Iwase, US
Senator Hirono, Senator Kidani, and
Representative Cheape
14. 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.)
15. The architect’s rendering of what the school will
look like when completed (the colors may differ
from the picture)
16. 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
17. 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 to
S & M Sakamoto and Bowers & Kubota for the refreshments
