One person, with the help of many, can make a difference, said state Rep. James Tokioka Tuesday during the dedication of a new, $200,000 playground structure for fourth- and fifth-grade students at Elsie Wilcox Elementary School.
“This is all because of the efforts of Kadee Parubrub,” said Corey Nakamura, Wilcox School principal. “Four years ago, Kadee was sitting where you folks are. But she spoke up, and her student voice started the ball rolling to where today, we have a new playground for all the fourth- and fifth-grade students to enjoy.”
Parubrub, not a stranger to selfless acts, said the playground was needed help so everyone could enjoy it.
“It was rusted and broken down,” the eighth-grader at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School said. “When I became the student body president in the fifth grade, we just asked for a new playground so all the students could enjoy it.”
Leila Kobayashi, a Wilcox School vice principal, said the reason for the blessing is that one of the state superintendent’s priorities is student voice.
“This playground improvement came about from one of our former students speaking to Rep. James Tokioka about her concern that the fourth-grade playground was not being used to its full capacity due to damages on it, and the amount of time that it was taking for the playground to get repaired,” she said.
That conversation took place when Parubrub and other school student leaders were allowed a trip to the state Legislature, escorted by teachers Christy Nii and Ronson Sahut.
“This is an awesome testament to what an individual can do with a lot of help,” Tokioka said. “It starts with Principal Nakamura allowing the students an opportunity to travel to the Hawaii state Legislature. Sen. Ron Kouchi and the rest of the Kauai legislative team got behind it because it benefits our island’s keiki.”
Nakamura said the reason for the dedication was because this was the only time Parubrub could attend.
“She was inspired to make Wilcox a great school,” Nakamura said. “But her selfless act — not think of herself, first — has done much for the community. She started by collecting food and money for the food bank instead of accepting money or gifts on her birthday. Additionally, she started doing the Backpack Brigade by collecting school supplies for students who otherwise would have to go to school empty-handed. By using her as an example, you all can make a difference.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
