HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1109.001 2012-2014plpwpltG
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Murashige, Laura D�t - i/
From:
Elaine Murakami <e.murakamil @yahoo.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, November 04, 2014 2:12 PM
To:
Council Testimony
Subject:
Public Works and Parks & Rec. Committees
Attachments:
Testimony Cap.docx
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Testimony to Public Works and
Parks & Rec. Committees
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November 06, 2014
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Chairman, Dru Kanuha
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Vice Chairman, Dennis "Fresh"
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Elaine Yoshida Murakami
Class of 1960
Kau High School
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Comm. No.
Ref. To: P /
Ref. Date M!V
1
Mr. Laurence C. Capellas. This is a name that will always remain on the highest pedestal in my
memory of Great Educators in Hawaii. Great educators inspire students to seek a future filled
with dreams in every aspect of living.
I was a child growing up on a sugar plantation in Pahala, a very small town on the island of
Hawaii. Everything outside of Pahala was big in my eyes, but helping me to see things in a
larger scope was Mr. Capellas. He often talked about getting an education that would widen
my view of the world. Education did not mean just a college degree, but experiencing the many
studies that were outside of the college campus. I am one, who chose to learn the hairdressing
skills while attending the University of Hawaii. I worked at many different jobs to earn monies
and to search for things that would make me happy. Is this what he meant, when he told us to
go out and experience the world?
Life on a plantation was not limited to going to school. Mr. Capellas stressed that activities
outside of the school were very important. He was a member of the Lions Club in Pahala. I
joined the Girl Scouts and 4 -H club to learn domestic and leadership skills. Experiencing music
and dancing were areas of the arts that were encouraged. I was introduced to playing the
piano in the fourth grade, dancing the hula and even playing an instrument in the high school
band. These activities didn't make plantation living a bore.
Another extracurricular event that consumed the afterschool hours was sports. He was an avid
sports supporter and worked endlessly toward keeping all students involved in some physical
activity. While he was Principal at Pahala High School, he was sure to announce the World
Series scores inning by inning. We were never in the dark about those popular sports.
Finally, Mr. Capellas insisted that having faith in a religion is our privilege, so he encouraged all
of us to follow the teachings of our faith. He worked and lived as a true member of our
community.
Mr. Laurence C. Capellas was an outstanding educator and community leader, who deserves to
be recognized with the naming of the new gym and shelter for Kau.