Campbell Bids Adieu To Takamori

Rep. Bob McDermott and wife Utu stand with Naomi Takamori (right), who recently retired after more than 30 years of dedicated service to Campbell High and other schools. Photo from Rep. McDermott’s office.

McDermott’s Message…Rep. Bob McDermott

When it comes to requesting funds from the state budget, as a legislator, I place education and the improvement of our schools as one of my top priorities.

This year, I’m focusing on ways to expand the capacity of our district schools. During recent discussions with one of Campbell High School’s assistant principals, Shayne Greenland, we zeroed in on what is needed straightaway. Campbell High School needs additional classroom space to accommodate our growing community.

“My concern is that our projected enrollment in the years to come reveals that our facility is undersized to house additional students,” said Greenland. “Our student population is expected to be more than 3,100 next year, and the projected numbers by 2016-2017 are said to be near 3,500.”

Given the growing competition to secure state funding, we have to pick the projects that will do the most good for the community’s children. Currently, that would be portable classrooms, according to Greenland.

“We know portable classrooms aren’t the best possible solution for our teachers and students, but they can be an option,” he continued. “We are very limited on space. However, we do have some areas that could accommodate some portable classrooms.”

Capital improvement projects for heat abatement and athletic facilities renovations that were secured during the last legislative session are well underway. The current construction project awarded to Campbell High School involves improvements to the football/track field, and should be completed by the end of July.

In conclusion, I would like to mention that the longtime principal of Campbell High School, Naomi Takamori, retired at the end of last year and she will be sorely missed. It has been my pleasure to work with Mrs. Takamori over the years.

I applaud her dedication to the school and our community. I pledge to work hard with Campbell’s new principal, along with hardworking assistant principal Greenland, to get the school what it needs.

State Rep. Bob McDermott represents District 40 – Ewa, Ewa Beach and Iroquois Point. Call him at 586-9730 or email repmcdermott@capitol.hawaii.gov.