KAILUA, ISLAND OF OAHU, Hawaii -- KAILUA -- Several determined warriors swinging hammers, sawing wood and working up a sweat set the scene at Kainalu Elementary School in Kailua, Tuesday through Thursday, in attempts to build a handicapped entrance for disabled children into a music room.
The Marines and Sailors from the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, were eager to volunteer for the three-day project in order to assist the children and the future of tomorrow.
"The Marines and Sailors know this is for a good cause, and it gives them a chance to break from their regular routine and do something positive," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Tonio Brooks, administrative supervisor with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24. "The work is hard, but none of them mind because they know what they are doing is or a good cause."
The new ramp will enable the disabled children to access the music room and interact with other students positively.
The Marines and Sailors had quite a task ahead of them, but were more than eager to break the grounds and begin installing a ramp that would wrap around the building.
The service members first had to dig approximately 20 feet of trench to install the ramp, then lay the foundation of concrete, with the use of wheelbarrows and shovels. The second step was to construct the bridge from processed wood to piece together the actual ramp.
A local contractor was present to assist the Marines Sailors and to ensure the ramp was constructed safely.
The children of Kainalu Elementary School have had numerous positive experiences with the Marines and Sailors in the past and always look forward to visits with the service members.
"I feel the Marines enjoy working with the kids, and this is a way they can connect with the community," said Valerie Okihara, principal of Kainalu Elementary School. "The Marines and Sailors have provided tremendous support to our school, which has made it possible to do the best we can for our children in support of their education."
Kainalu Elementary is expecting to open its doors to at least four children with disabilities during the 2003-04 school year. They will be the first students to access the music room with the use of the ramp, and the school is expecting many more students to explore the world of music with the new ramp.
"What the Marines and Sailors have done for this school is priceless," said Okihara. "You can't measure in dollar amounts what the Marines and Sailors have contributed to this school."