Parker School to celebrate 50th anniversary

Parker School will mark a historic milestone during Labor Day Weekend, celebrating a half-century of learning and aloha in the heart of Waimea.

Community members, alumni, students, families and faculty and everyone else are invited to the school’s 50th Anniversary Celebration that will include several events from Sept. 4-6.

Parker School — founded in 1976 by a group of North Hawaiʻi parents and made possible by the gift of historic Kahilu Hall from Richard Smart of Parker Ranch — opened its doors with a clear mission: to create an educational environment where students are known, valued and nurtured.

It has much to celebrate as the school’s history is a story of resilience and persistence, thriving today because countless community members worked hard and gave of their time, talent and treasure to ensure the little school with a big heart continues to serve the keiki of Hawaiʻi Island.

This celebration is a mahalo to all those who believed in Parker School.

“Fifty years ago, our founders shared a dream of building an ʻohana-centered school, where every student could thrive,” said Parker School Head of School Stephen Dunn in a school release. “As we look back on five decades of cherished memories and look forward to dynamic additions like The SMART Center — a new multi-use facility including classrooms, technology center and the first gymnasium in the school’s history — and our new preschool program, we are excited to gather our former students, employees, families and friends to honor where we’ve been and celebrate where we’re headed.”

The 50th Anniversary Celebration offers a mix of private events for current and former students and employees as well as events that welcome the entire Big Island community to campus.

Parker School 50th Anniversary Celebration events

• 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 4 Annual Fall BBQ (Parker School ʻohana focus): The weekend kicks off with this annual event on campus followed by an Art Night in the art room and historic theatre, highlighting five decades of visual and performing arts.
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 5 Community Open House (everyone welcome and encouraged to attend): Campus tours, including the History Kahilu Hall, plus interactive Maker Space activities in the new technology center, playground fun at the Lower School, live music and local food vendors.
• 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 5 State of the School Panel (everyone welcome and encouraged to attend): Reflection on Parker School’s past, present and future, featuring Dunn alongside former headmasters Pieper Toyama and Carl “Doc” Sturges.

The 50th Anniversary Lūʻau is sold out.

Visit the Parker School website for additional information about the upcoming celebration.