[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING HONOWAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL'S RECOGNITION AS A GREEN RIBBON 
                                 SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. COLLEEN HANABUSA

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2018

  Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Honowai 
Elementary School in Waipahu, Hawaii, and all its achievements in being 
designated a Green Ribbon School by the Department of Education.
   As many of my colleagues know, Green Ribbon Schools are awarded for 
mitigating their environmental impacts, improving health and wellness 
within their communities, and pursuing effective environmental and 
sustainability education. The purpose of the award is to inspire 
schools, districts, and post-secondary institutions to pursue 
sustainable practices and education for the twenty-first century. State 
education officials nominate their top schools to be considered for 
this award. It is important to note that close to half of all Green 
Ribbon Schools honorees educate majority disadvantaged student 
populations.
   Honowai Elementary has pursued the standards and values of the Green 
Ribbon Schools award through an interactive, community-oriented 
process. Not only has Honowai installed solar photovoltaic modules that 
reduce the school's carbon footprint, but the data collected on this 
array is used in classrooms to teach students about renewable energy. 
Students are taught and encouraged to spread green practices that 
conserve energy and reduce their carbon footprints. Through 
professional development and new curricula for faculty, the physical 
improvements to the school, which include aquaponics and hydroponics 
systems, extend learning beyond the classroom and to the campus and 
broader community.
   At the same time, Honowai Elementary situates traditional and Native 
Hawaiian practices and concepts of sustainability within our 
contemporary economy and society. The lo`i patch on campus provides a 
sustainable source of taro for food while teaching students the unique 
practices and values of Hawaii's indigenous heritage. Students 
understand diverse cultures and histories through a curriculum focused 
on oral history, which in turn helps them forge stronger personal 
values and identities and connect with their communities.
   These accomplishments cannot be understated for a community 
consisting of single family and low-income housing and in which sixty-
six percent of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch. 
Through its efforts, not only has Honowai Elementary given much to the 
local community and all its members, but the school has also 
represented Hawaii well on the national stage. I am proud of what the 
students, parents, faculty, and staff have come together to accomplish, 
and I look forward to their continued success as a school and 
community.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Honowai Elementary School, its students, faculty, and 
staff for their achievements, as well as all Green Ribbon Schools for 
what they contribute to our communities.

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