Nuuanu Elementary School
History
Cradled in lush Nuuanu Valley amongst the rising cliffs of the Koolaus, rests Nuuanu Elemen tary School. It commands a sweeping view of the Honolulu shoreline to the south and the mist shrouded summit of the Pali to the north.
As it lies peacefully beneath brilliant rainbows and soft drifts of the rain, few would guess its turbulent history. Nuuanu School was once destined to be built on a two-acre parcel of land adjacent to Queen Emma's Summer Palace, which was the site of the "Battle of Nuuanu". There, in 1795, Kamehameha I marched his army of 16,000 men and defeated Kalanikupule, Chief of Oahu. This historic battle united all the islands under one ruler in domestic and foreign affairs.
The second battle to touch this Nuuanu site came in 1958. It involved the Board of Parks and Recreation, Department of Public Instruction, and Nuuanu community groups. Maemae School was overflowing with an enrollment of 1,326 students and was considering double shifting. The need for a second elementary school in Nuuanu was urgent. The Board of Supervisors sought to have two acres of park land for construction of a new school.
After much heated controversy, a request for the property was sent to Governor William Quinn in December 1958. He declined to turn over the property. The alternative choice of sites was just mauka of Puiwa Road. It was a 7.7 acre site shown on the Harriet Wright property. District Superintendent Walton Gordon noted that $492,000 had been appropriated for an elementary school ($242,000 for land and $250,000 for buildings). The Wright property was acquired.
Potter and Potter Architects was chosen to design the 30-classroom school. Plans were submit ted in October, 1959. The design was unique in its concept of multi-unit, single story redwood con struction. This was at a time when the trend was toward concrete or masonry type school buildings. The considerations were twofold. Practical considerations were that redwood withstood the wet Nuuanu climate best, and the severe contours of the property made two-story buildings impractical. Aesthetically, the more flexible design complemented the surroundings and neighboring homes.
Contractor Richard Hidano won the bid ($445,150) for the first increment of 12 classrooms and a kitchen. Despite delays due to rain and delivery of materials, Nuuanu Elementary School was ready for occupancy in September, 1960.