Commentary from Senator Sakamoto

June 16, 2006

Education

On June 13, the University Laboratory School (the Educational Laboratory New Century Public Charter School) suffered a fire that destroyed one of its buildings. The building housed the school's drama, orchestra, theater, and physical education programs. Reconstruction will be a challenge as the school is a charter school. It is operated by the Curriculum Research and Development Group, a unit of the College of Education at the University of Hawaii.

Senator Sakamoto is a 1965 alumnus of the University High School. He remarked: "It's sad to see the building gone. We have an opportunity for the school community to rally and redevelop the whole campus." The day after the fire, 16 people had donated $1,510 to the UH Foundation for the school with more support likely to follow. With the support of school graduates, the larger community and the University of Hawaii, the University Laboratory School can recover from its recent losses and also made a more integral part of the University of Hawaii's College of Education.