Cherylyn Inouye was one of the first teachers at King Kaumualii Elementary School and this November, Inouye will be returning to celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary with other former staff and alumni. “We’re inviting everyone who graduated from King Kaumualii
Cherylyn Inouye was one of the first teachers at King Kaumualii Elementary School and this November, Inouye will be returning to celebrate the school’s 25th anniversary with other former staff and alumni.
“We’re inviting everyone who graduated from King Kaumualii to attend the celebration,” Inouye said, “and it’s open to the public, too.”
The celebration consists of two events — a time capsule unearthing in the morning and a luau dinner in the evening. The deadline for purchasing tickets for the luau dinner portion of the event is today.
Inouye said the purpose is to bring together everyone who has been a part of King Kaumualii Elementary School since its inception.
The celebration kicks off in the morning with an all-school assembly. School administrators will unearth a time capsule buried in 1990 by kids in kindergarten, first and second grade.
The time capsule is said to contain pieces of 1990s contemporary culture.
“We’ll study its contents, which will be on display and archived thereafter,” Inouye said. “At a later date, this year’s children will bury this year’s time capsule for the next 25 years.”
On the evening of Nov. 20, the celebration continues from 6 to 8 p.m. at the school’s courtyard, where there will be a luau dinner. Rock, soul and blues music will be provided by The Trio, and there will be a program recognizing key players at King Kaumualii.
“We’re going to recognize the first staff and the staff that are still teaching at the school,” Inouye said. “And we’re recognizing the superintendent and all those who have graduated from King Kaumualii.”
Inouye was hired in 1990 as the school’s enrichment teacher. She held science and music classes attended by every child in grades K-2. She left King Kaumualii School in 1995 to teach the ukulele program at Kapaa Middle School.
“It’s been very satisfying to see the success of the school for 25 years,” Inouye said. “They’ve maintained the spirit of loving and laughter and learning all these years, and it’s still being carried on. They’ve done well academically, too.”
Inouye said she’s looking forward to re-connecting with old friends and students and there will be plenty of time to talk story throughout the evening.
“Some of the kids who buried that time capsule will be there, and we’ll all just be able to catch up,” Inouye said. “Then, there’s also going to be this generation of students there, so we get to know them, too.”
Info or tickets: 241-3150
