Today was the long anticipated groundbreaking of the “Helen Hale” Gymnasium that will be located on the Pahoa High and Intermediate Campus.
Legislative Aide RJ Hampton, Mayor Bill Kenoi, Senator Russell Kokubun, Helene Hale, Representative Faye Hanohano and the Principal Dean Cevallos of Pahoa High break ground on the new gymnasium while Councilwoman Emily Naeole says a prayer in the background.
Many dignitaries in attendance talked about how long this process has taken and all were very thankful that the process has finally started.
Helene Hale, who is a legend around this area, really pushed for this gymnasium many years ago and even today she was very greatful and joked that she was at least happy she was able to see the groundbreaking before she goes on to the next part of her life.
Emily Naeole, Helene Halel and Faye Hanohano all looking lovely
Community members from all parts of Puna came out to support this great project as most locals from around here… are actually graduates or attended Pahoa School at one time or another in their lives.
Maddie Greene, Fred Blas and Johnna Medeiros
Even our own elected official Emily Naeole graduated from Pahoa and Rep. Faye Hanohano was at Pahoa before transferring to Oahu to attend Kamehameha.
Cousins Emily Naeole and Faye Hanohano talk about how long they have waited for this day
The students of Pahoa are one of the last schools to get a gym built. My wife played many volleyball and basketball games in the old gym and it has many memories… but the school outgrew that gym a long time ago and this is definitely a good thing.
Vice-Principal and Principal of Pahoa High and Intermediate
I’m glad I could be there for this historic groundbreaking.
I heard it will be done in several phases. The first phase will not include locker rooms, however the second phase of it will have locker rooms.
You can click on the pictures below for a larger view and Big Island Video News has video of the event as well posted here:
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- Vice-Principal and Principal of Pahoa High and Intermediate
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- Cousins Emily Naeole and Faye Hanohano talk about how long they have waited for this day
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- Maddie Greene, Fred Blas and Johnna Medeiros
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- Emily Naeole, Helene Halel and Faye Hanohano all looking lovely
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- Legislative Aide RJ Hampton, Mayor Bill Kenoi, Senator Russell Kokubun, Helene Hale, Representative Faye Hanohano and the Principal of Pahoa High break ground on the new gymnasium while Councilwoman Emily Naeole says a prayer in the background.
Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Community, Education, Entertainment, Kids, Pahoa, Puna, Something New?, Sports, State Affairs Tagged: | Emily Naeole, Faye Hanohano, Helene Hale Gymnasium, Mayor Kenoi, Pahoa Gymnasium, Pahoa High School, Russell Kokubun
Great photo’s of a great event. Congratulations to Helene Hale for all her years of hard work to get this project done.