Ma'ema'e class to help restore chapel
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Teacher Donna Nakamura's fifth-grade class at Ma'ema'e Elementary School will stage a neighborhood fun run/walk Sunday to raise money to rebuild the Ma'ema'e Chapel, which was 137 years old when it collapsed in May 2000.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
The chapel, owned by Kaumakapili Church, was detached from the public school although kindergarten classes were held there for more than 100 years. In the late 1800s, most of the families living in the Nu'uanu area known as Ma'ema'e could not afford transportation, so children stayed home until they were old enough to walk to Pauoa or Lanakila for school.
Donna Nakamura's fifth-grade class at Ma'ema'e Elementary School has raised $2,500 in a previous fund-raiser and has a benefit fun run/walk planned for Sunday. The money will go toward rebuilding the school chapel.
After the Ma'ema'e Chapel collapsed three years ago, students have helped restore it. The chapel, 137 years old when it collapsed in 2000, is owned by Kaumakapili Church.
Mother Waterhouse started kindergarten classes at the chapel, which was built in 1863.
"It's the beginnings of our school," Ma'ema'e Principal Beatrice Zane said. "Every year, we've tried to do a little something to help rebuild the chapel. The church has told us that it is part of their plan to someday rebuild the chapel."
For Nakamura's class, the fun run/walk to raise money to rebuild the church is a "Make a Difference Day" project. The class has raised $2,500 from a benefit last October. In addition, the school's student council raised $400 selling snacks at the annual Faculty vs. Student Games in January.
The fun run/walk will begin at 7:30 a.m. Entry fee is $20 for adults and students in seventh grade and up, $15 for senior citizens and students in kindergarten through sixth grade. There is no fee for preschoolers.
For more information about Sunday's benefit run/walk, call Nakamura at 595-5400, ext. 140, or Dennis Takatsuki at 595-5400, ext. 107.
