OUR SCHOOLS • POHAKEA ELEMENTARY
Campus prides itself on 'really good teachers'

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

Pohakea Elementary School prides itself on being the little school that could.

Pohakea Elementary School second-grade teacher Margaret Botelho prepares for another year of classes. The school recently underwent renovations, including new paint, lighting and flooring. Pohakea, on Fort Weaver Road in Leeward O'ahu, will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

But the little school on Fort Weaver Road has endured for 40 years, mainly because of committed teachers and eager-to-learn students.

"We have really, really good teachers who have helped moved the school into the future," said principal Beverley Tasato, who has been at the school for 14 years. "They give a lot of their own time. They know where they want to take the school and they move in that direction."

For example, every year the fourth-graders spend a few days at Camp Timberline on Palehua Ridge. They hike, swim, sing and go rock climbing while learning team-building skills such as cooperation and responsibility. But because the only time the kids can go is during spring break, the teachers who chaperone volunteer to spend their time off at the camp.

"Now that's dedication," said Ronald Nomura, the school's vice principal.

Because of its location in lower 'Ewa Beach, Pohakea, a Title I school, faces issues a little different from those of its neighboring elementary schools.

About 70 percent of the school's 585 students qualify for free and reduced lunches, a common measure of poverty. Many students have parents on welfare or who work multiple jobs, Tasato said. And many live in Kulana Village and walk to and from school every day.

The socio-economic reality has been a challenge for the school, which could raise only $15,000 over four years for playground equipment, selling everything from chili to pizza.

The school was awarded a $50,000 grant for equipment but had to split the money with another school. Instead of a multipurpose set that could accommodate older kids, Pohakea got a small play structure that only the younger kids can play on.

But you won't hear the kids complaining, Tasato said. They're grateful for whatever they have — because it's usually more than they have at home.

"Our kids are very local, very down-to-earth," Tasato said. "They're unpretentious and happy, not spoiled, and very streetwise ... They don't conceptually understand that they're disadvantaged. This is all they know."

• What are you most proud of? Tasato is most proud of the pride that custodian Mercy Ebanez has in the school. Every weekend, Ebanez walks the campus to make sure there isn't any vandalism or graffiti. "She does that on her own time," Tasato said. "And if there's any graffiti, she takes out the paint and takes care of it. She's very devoted."

• Best-kept secret: Most people don't know that U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka was the school's first principal. Akaka also was instrumental in naming the school. Pohakea means "to bring forth light."

• Everybody at our school knows: Judi Wong, the Success For All facilitator, who has to oversee the reading program in every classroom. The students also know Nomura, counselor Analu Sing and education assistant and JPO (Junior Police Officer program) adviser Neil Okamoto. They are among the few male figures on campus.

• Our biggest challenge: Fund raising. Because the school is in a lower-income area, administrators find it difficult to get parents and community members to donate money or support fund-raisers. And the Success For All program, which focuses on reading, is expensive, costing the school about $100,000 a year. "It's a challenge for us to hustle for money," Tasato said.

• What we need: Playground equipment and air conditioning. Classroom temperatures range from 80 to 90 degrees during the hottest months of the year. Only the front office, library and computer lab have air conditioning. "Everything else is just open your windows," Tasato said.

• Projects: For five months the school went through extensive renovations, which included new flooring and lighting in classrooms and offices.

• Special events: The school will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. First day of school is Aug. 4.