Three Elementary Schools Recipients of Company’s Holomua Education Program

Brookfield Homes Hawai‘i continues to make the wishes of Kaua‘i teachers come true through its Holomua (succeed) education program. On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, Brookfield Homes Hawai‘i President Jeffrey J. Prostor visited Kalaheo, Koloa and Hanalei Elementary Schools, gifting equipment, supplies, and other resources to enhance their students’ learning experiences in the classroom. Among the wishes granted:

Kalaheo Elementary School
First grade teacher LaVonne Garlie received heavy-duty pencil sharpeners for the school’s four 1st grade teachers. Fourth grade teacher Terese Barich received U.S. and world physical maps and a U.S. relief map.

Koloa Elementary School
Jackie Baker, a pre-K teacher, received a basketball hoop toy for classroom playtime. Donna Okihara and Brook Hurd wished for and received bus transportation and admission to visit the trains at Kilohana for their kindergarten classes. Soledad Negrillo, a first grade teacher, was granted two electric pencil sharpeners. Third grade teacher Joy Abreu received 15 sets of Fraction Stax to encourage visual learning. S. Topp, who teaches K-5 math, received 30 T-15 calculators.

Hanalei Elementary School
Kindergarten teacher Kathy Kiaha wished for and received a camcorder for her classroom. Melanie Hermstad, who teaches K-6, received a digital camera. First grade teacher Wendy Paik was granted a digital camera and printer.

“Brookfield Homes Hawai‘i recognizes that just as we seek to make a difference in how and what we build, these teachers seek to make a difference in the lives of the children they teach and nurture,” said Prostor. “It is extremely gratifying to see first-hand that we are making a difference by providing our teachers with much-needed resources that will allow our children to continue to succeed well into the future. What’s more, we’re finding that the impact this program is having on our teachers lasts well beyond one school year. This was especially evident during our most recent giftings as we were approached numerous times by past recipients thanking us for the gifts they received during last year’s program.”

Brookfield launched its Holomua education program in 2006 to grant the wishes of teachers for learning tools such as computer equipment and school supplies at select schools located near their various neighborhoods. The company currently has two neighborhoods under development on Kaua‘i, including Nihilani at Princeville Resort and PiliMai at Po‘ipu.