In the mid-1990s, I was sent to do a feature story about Wailupe Elementary's May Day program. It was super cute because all the sixth-grade girls got to be on the May Day court, a highly coveted position for girls that age. Traditionally, May Day courts have princesses representing the eight major Hawaiian islands. Wailupe's sixth-grade class was small, but not that small, so they included a few extra districts so that all the girls could wear a satin kikepa, sit on a decorated chair and perform a hula. Princess of Nihoa, Princess of Manana, Princess of Mokoli'i, and so on. It was a most inclusive May Day.

Several parents and teachers put down their camcorders long enough to approach reporters to lobby on behalf of the school. "You know, they're trying to close Wailupe. They've been trying for years. But we're fighting it."

The passionate fight to keep the school went on for nearly two decades, but then something happened. At a recent public meeting to discuss closing the school, only a few people signed up to speak. The meeting was over in about an hour. The little parking lot outside the cafeteria was not even half full. It was a sign.

Last week, a panel of parents, school administrators and community members recommended the closure of Wailupe Elementary. The fight was over.

That's not a criticism, just a reflection on how times have changed. For years, there were emotional arguments for keeping the little school open. Now, there's a kind of quiet resignation and the recognition that the DOE needs to save money. Also, there is the appreciation that 'Aina Haina elementary, the school a mile away where Wailupe students would attend, is a really good school with average test scores appreciably higher than that of Wailupe.

The panel's recommendation will be submitted to state school superintendent Pat Hamamoto and to the Board of Education for a final decision.

As there was no predicting this change of heart, there's no predicting the future. In the 1970s, there was talk of closing both Hanalei and Kilauea elementary schools on Kaua'i and consolidating them into a new Princeville elementary. Today, that idea is laughable, but nobody could foresee the growth in population on the north shore of that island. Perhaps someday Wailupe will rise again.

But for now, the recommendation to close the school seems firmly grounded in reality and pegged on the potential for something better for the students waiting at 'Aina Haina. Wailupe is a sweet little school, but these are exceptional times and the community panel's decision to recommend closure is both brave and hopeful.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.