May Day

I was a student at Kaneohe Elementary School in the sixties, when Mr. Akaka was our principal.  During one of the May Day programs, I had the opportunity to introduce the May Day Court procession as they walked onto the field.  I remember going to the principal’s office before the ceremony, where Mr. Akaka helped me pronounce the names of the Hawaiian islands and flowers correctly.

A few months ago, I met Senator Akaka at an Ohana 100 orientation.  I mentioned to him that he had helped me pronounce Hawaiian words for the May Day program at Kaneohe Elementary.  That led to our sharing other memories about our time there.  We remembered the cafeteria manager, Mrs. Nakahara; the delicious shortbread cookies that were baked and sold at fundraisers; and many wonderful teachers!  I learned that Kaneohe Elementary had one of the highest student enrollments in the State when Senator Akaka was principal there.  He said he was fortunate to have had great staff and teachers.  It was heartwarming…that decades later and from different perspectives (child/adult, student/principal), Pa Akaka and I connected through similar happy memories.

— Lena G. (Former Student)