Gulstan Poepoe Sr. can remember back when Wahiawa Elementary School was a six-room building on Lehua Street, where Wahiawa General Hospital now stands.

Now 82 years old, Poepoe watched intently as his granddaughter, a second-grader at the school, prepared to perform with the rest of her classmates at the school's centennial celebration.

"It's changed," said Poepoe, as he turned around to gaze at the maze of school buildings that make up the current Wahiawa campus.

"I went to the old building, down by the hospital," he said, with pride.

Like most families in this neighborhood, the Poepoes have sent generations of kids to Wahiawa, now nestled along Glen Avenue, just a stone's throw away from the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens.

The elementary school last week celebrated 100 years of serving Wahiawa children, many of whom have gone on to send their own children or grandchildren to the school.

The school used the occasion to hold a full May Day program in the morning for parents. And then in the afternoon, the school held a celebration open to the community that was filled with food booths, hula, music and exhibits.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro, an alumnus of Wahiawa Elementary, was one of many distinguished former students who attended the festivities.

"I do feel a little nostalgic," he said. "I am very appreciative of all of my teachers.

"They are the reason I'm where I am today."

He recalled memories from the school, like his love of kickball and his favorite book series, "Encyclopedia Brown."

Oshiro said the elementary school plays a key role in the community.

"This is more than just a school. It's a gathering place. This is where the community comes together," he said.

Other distinguished alumni attending the activities included Chief Justice Ronald Moon, former first lady of Hawai'i Jean Ariyoshi, state Sen. Robert Bunda and retired Deputy Police Chief Michael Tucker.

The school dates to 1908 when it was just a schoolhouse attended by 56 students. In 1924, the school grew to a six-room building that later closed during World War II. The new school reopened in its current location in 1950.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann told students that all the successful graduates of the school are examples that they can be anything they want to be.

"Set your goals higher. Strive to be president of the United States ... a United States Supreme Court justice," he said.

George Nakasone, who served as principal of Wahiawa from 1978 to 1989, said the school is a vital part of the community.

"For a long time, this was the only elementary school in this area," Nakasone said.

He said many Wahiawa families share a connection to the school.

For instance, the Rodrigues family has sent four generations of children to the school.

Nanikehau Rodrigues and her daughter, 23-year-old Ashley Farias, both attended Wahiawa. Farias' 4-year-old son is now a prekindergarten student at the school.

"I'd love to see more of my grandkids come here," Nanikehau Rodrigues said. "It was my school. It's a good school."

Other members of the Rodrigues family also attended the celebration. Bernard Rodrigues, 82, and his sister, Barbara Rodrigues, 69, sat together on the lawn watching the student performances.