The library at Holualoa Elementary School has four new rolling bookcases, thanks to a donation of $1,846.84 from CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union to purchase materials and the volunteers who helped build them.
This was the first project of the Kokua Crew, a new committee of the Holualoa School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) created and spearheaded by PTO member Carolyn Lucas-Zenk. The Kokua Crew is a group of volunteers from the PTO, the school, families and community collaborating to invest in and improve Holualoa Elementary School through various service projects. The Kokua Crew picks projects with the guidance and help of school administrators, teachers and staff, who share and identify the current needs on campus. All collectively work to identify solutions and resources, including utilizing knowledge, skills and talents of volunteers and donors. It’s sweat equity volunteerism and those interested in joining the Kokua Crew can email kokuaholualoaschool@gmail.com.
“We are so grateful and humbled by the generosity of the CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union and these volunteers,” said Holualoa School PTO President Jennifer Torcato. “Their gift to our school will benefit each and every one of our keiki for years to come. The library is such an impactful place for our keiki to learn and grow.”
During last school year, some furniture at Holualoa Elementary School needed to be discarded due to rot, mold, and termite damage. The price for replacements, including library shelving, is expensive, and the school was unsure how to cover the cost of certain items. The Kokua Crew formed and jumped in to ask for help from the community, including seeking financial assistance. The Kokua Crew connected with CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union through the help of Neighborhood Place of Kona’s Hui Laulima & West Hawaii Keiki Coalition. Upon hearing about the opportunity to support Holualoa Elementary’s library and the need for additional shelving, CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union was passionate about getting involved and giving back.
“CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union is honored to be able to support the students and faculty of Holualoa Elementary School with this donation. School libraries are more than just a place for students to get books to complete their homework; they are a safe place where keiki can learn and explore together. The credit union is extremely grateful for the opportunity to provide More Possibilities for the school and its students,” said Hobbs Lowson, business development officer at CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union.
Upon receiving the donation, the Kokua Crew began purchasing materials and appreciated the generous discount on the wood and edge tape from Daniel Caravalho, manager at Big Island Laminates. Volunteer Joseph Zenk, a local architect and a Holualoa Elementary parent, sketched and drafted the design plans for bookshelves, compiled the list of materials needed, as well as prepped the materials and led the build, which occurred over a weekend this month. Other volunteers that donated their time and talents to the build were: CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union Kona Branch Manager Justin Huss, CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union Assistant Operations Supervisor Chance Wilts, and Holualoa Elementary parents Shawn Watson and Richard Chan. The bookcases were delivered Aug. 21 to the library. On behalf of our entire school community, leaders from the Holualoa School PTO thanked CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, parent volunteers and the Kokua Crew for their efforts in building new shelving units for the library.
“Partnerships like this inspire momentum, opportunities and stronger communities,” said Kokua Crew Chairperson Carolyn Lucas-Zenk. “I’m so thankful for CU Hawaii Federal Credit
Union and our volunteers. Every school needs champions and we’re so lucky to have many at Holualoa Elementary and within our community. With immense aloha, CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union and parent volunteers built more than bookcases. They created connections and relationships that removed a barrier and are helping make a difference.”