Hilo elementary students raise $259 to help with repairs at Kawamoto Pool

The Friends of Kawamoto Pool and the Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks & Recreation recently collaborated to repair the Hilo pool, and they received support from elementary students from Hilo Union School. 

As the nonprofit raised funds to restore the warm water showers at Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium in Hilo, students involved with the Kama‘aina Kids A+ Afterschool Program learned about the effort and were excited to support it.

The students raised $259 through their “Spring Sale,” selling toys, stickers and other fun goodies for the project. They also took the opportunity to learn about the pool’s namesake, a local legend who coached Olympic swimmers.  

“It is heartwarming to see our next generation of community leaders taking an opportunity to invest into their hometown,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said. “This is an awesome example of how those in our Friends of the Park Program not only helped to improve a county facility, they also created an opportunity for keiki to uplift their own community.”

Mary Afable, a member of Friends of Kawamoto Pool, said: “The students are young but are already role models for the Hilo community.”

Richard Gallagher, also a member of Friends of the Kawamoto Pool, performed the repair on the hot water system. The warm water showers are back, benefiting local swimmers.