by Misty I.

Recently a Teacher Appreciation Event was held at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center for alumni of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

I attended this fun event filled with good food and fellowship. I love reconnecting with friends that I havenʻt seen in awhile, like my friend Jerry Chang! The event was well attended by many members of the Hilo community!

The program was short and sweet with interesting speakers. I enjoyed Alumni Hidi Botelho’s heartwarming journey from being a kolohe student at Pāhoa Elementary to coming full circle as she is now an academic coach at Keonepoko Elementary School.

Hidi’s powerpoint was filled with ʻōlelo noʻeau that many of us could relate to. Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi’s Dr. Clint Anderson wowed all of us with his utterly fantastic slam poem.

Special thanks to Dr. Michele Ebersole and Dr. Avis Masuda for organizing a great event and of course to the always jovial Uncle Derek Kurisu too who served as the Master of Ceremonies that evening.

Additionally, food (like prime rib!) was provided by KTA, Suisan and other Hilo businesses. A delectable ice cream bar was sponsored by Kandi’s Drive Inn. Indeed, it is great to be a teacher in Hilo, Hawaiʻi!