Daniel K. Inouye Elementary School - Our $33.2 Million Project!: October 13, 2014

We have been looking for a good date since we moved in during the month of July, and today was selected. Our staff was back at work, and it was a military and construction holiday so everything worked out nicely. What a beautiful day to celebrate the "official" opening of our Administration Building! United States Senator Mazie Hirono was at our groundbreaking on July 1, 2013, and she returned to share this special day with us. LTC Kenneth Sanderson represented US Army Garrison Hawaii, and State Representative Lauren Matsumoto also attended. Yuuko Arikawa, our Complex School Renewal Specialist, represented our Complex Area Superintendent who is off-island.

Phase I is now complete, and work continues on Phase II (classroom building) and Phase III (library/
media/student center and covered playcourt). We appreciate everyone who is making this project possible - the Department of Defense and State of Hawaii for funding this project, our contracted providers S&M Sakamoto, Bowers & Kubota, and Design Partners, US Army Garrison Hawaii, and Department of Education Facilities Department. We also appreciate our school community for their flexibility and patience throughout this project.

Here are a few photos from today's Blessing and Open House celebration.

Student Council President Micah greets US Senator Mazie Hirono.

Senator Hirono shared her commitment to ensuring that the needs of our military families are a priority for her as a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

LTC Kenneth Sanderson addressed the crowd and pledged the support from US Army Garrison Hawaii for this project.

Waiting to bless the building - Kahu Patterson from the US Army Garrison cultural office shared a pule (blessing) prior to the untying of the maile lei.