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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1109.002 2012-2014Ke5o . So�-I p vi P/Lc COUNTY CrMUC COUNTY OF HAWAI11 ItECEI By c� Time Z•� r�. November 6, 2014 Date i7 7 r Testimony by James Yamaki to include the name of Laurence J. Capellas to the Pahala gymnasium and shelter currently under construction "Empowerment" is the current buzz word in Hawaii education circles. Efforts to include the name of Laurence J. Capellas Sr. to the new gymnasium and shelter currently under construction in Pahala are made for this very reason. He embodied the spirit of "empowerment" during the time he served as Principal at Pahala High & Elementary School (now Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School) from 1946 to 1959 by raising the bar at the school and in the Ka'u community. He was responsible for building new facilities like the kindergarten -first grade building, tennis court, baseball grandstand, cafetorium, and swimming pool. He was a super fund raiser who brought E. K. Fernandez ferris wheel and merry-go -round rides to Ka'u for the annual school carnivals to raise funds to build the"swiinming pool. He was also responsible for elevating and creating a level elementary school playground and expanding the band, agriculture and shop programs. He brought football and track and field to Ka'u. He embraced all programs and had an educational blueprint that fit the community. He was a pioneer in baseball by helping form the Little League, Pony and Baby Ruth leagues on the Big Island. He had a regulation Little League diamond constructed at the Pahala school grounds, which was the site of all- island tournaments. He served as President of the Big Island Little League Program. Mr. Capellas took special interest in his students and encouraged them to pursue their own goals whether they were in sports, academics, music, shop, agriculture, etc. Enclosed is a testimony by Joseph Tateyama, a retired Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army residing in Kapaa, Kauai, who provides one example of how he nurtured and empowered his students. As acknowledged by former students, Laurence J.' Capellas Sr. is deserving of receiving a special honor by including his name to a public facility. Moreover, it would be more than fitting and a great honor to perpetuate his memory in Ka'u, where he once resided, and performed so many good works selflessly. Finally, and of more consequence, his legacy is his empowerment style of leadership. He empowered the Big Island community through his many undertakings of good works as an educator and as a community organizer. His contributions are long lasting and have had and will have an impact on past, current and future generations. James Yamaki Class of 1958 - Pahala High School Comm, No. 1109,2 Ref. To: n W P4 L Rof. Date-1 OV 6 201 Please contact following persons for further information: James Yamaki 1566 Kinoole St. Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Ph. 808 969 -6828 Joseph Tateyama P. O. Box 1266 Kapaa, Hawaii 96746 Ph. 808 821 -0230 Cell 808 651 -0335