HANAPEPE — The West Kaua‘i Lions Club recently helped paint the “green” distance-learning center at the Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i that will celebrate its opening on Monday, Sept. 21, as part of the International Day of Peace celebration.
“They brought their expertise and positive energy in helping to create the green space,” said Blanche Suga. “Under the leadership of WK Lions Club President Kay Hill, the group completed this service project in such a timely manner.”
The Storybook Theatre board of trustees has decided to move forward with plans for a re-definition of the facility to become a distance-learning studio, and modifying its 2020-21 program offerings to serve children on Kaua‘i and throughout Hawai‘i safely and effectively during times of COVID-19.
“The Storybook Theatre board members so appreciate the West Kaua‘i Lions’ support and help,” Suga said. “Following the hard work of painting, they were treated to a bento from Bobbie’s, located next door to the Storybook Theatre.”
The green-space painting complete, Storybook Theatre is in a good position with theater space available for filming, a high-quality recording studio, editing and technical experience, and knowledge about how young people receive and process information, said Mark Jeffers in a release.
“Lion Eric Nordmeier also tackled the Spark Matsunaga Peace Garden and gave it a great cleanup and trim,” Suga said.
Storybook Theatre can equip the West Kaua‘i Distance Learning Studio with grid lighting, editing software and camera equipment. Additionally, the Storybook Theatre can provide a dynamic recording setting and green-screen studio, indoor media theater, outdoor ponds and garden in a historic town on Kaua‘i.
With a value on intergenerational participation from people on West Kaua‘i who cannot always make the drive to Lihu‘e, Storybook Theatre can become a distance-learning studio, and Wi-Fi hot spot for young people and others interested in media communications.
“As we open our distance-learning studio to the public, I’d like to do some planning with you to include oral-history interviews as part of our regular programming here,” Jeffers said in a letter to Kay Hill of the West Kaua‘i Lions.
“I’m sure our West Kaua‘i families would love the experience and leaving the legacy of Hanapepe for the children who have has been a part of our mission for the past 25 years.”
The West Kaua‘i Distance Learning Studio is scheduled to open Monday, Sept. 21, from noon to 3 p.m., at the Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i in Hanapepe.
The Storybook Theatre invites people to “join us online as we wage peace” by visiting storybook.org, Jeffers said.
