Keiki Cuties Ready for Back to School

from State of Hawaii Department of Transportation September 2021 Newsletter

Highways

August is that time of the year again, back to school, and that means back to school pictures.

We want to share with our HDOT family some of the great shots snapped in the past few weeks.

This is Jasper Sage headed off to third grade. Jasper who is the nephew/ Godson of Ariel Hardwood, who works in the Airports Division.

By: Jai Cunningham

at Christian Academy, and her little brother Nakulu’ai is finishing up his last year of preschool at the same school. Proud mom Jazelle Aolahiko works in the Office of Civil Rights.

Riley Regan starts as a junior at ‘Iolani School. Proud mom Lynn-Araki Regan shows off her handsome son who recently had his braces off - great smile!

We’ve even got some headed back off to college.

Daisha-Lee Romualdo is headed back for her sophomore year at Eastern Washington University. Her proud dad Kaohilii Romualdo is an ARFF Lieutenant at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Do you think Keira Fujikawa is a little excited for her first day in Kindergarten at Kalaheo Elementary School on Kauai? That smile sure looks like she can’t wait to make new friends! Dad Eric Fujikawa shared the great photo, he works as a Design Engineer in the Highways Division over on Kauai. Rajah Messiah Jefferson started his first days of his last year at Waipahu High School, Go Marauders! Rajah is the son of Candi Nicole Jefferson who works at Statewide Transportation Planning.

Love Kishida has started preschool at Kamehameha Schools and grandma Karen Awana and grandpa Gregory Gomes, both HDOT family members, couldn’t be prouder.

And check out Kapua Kamahele, she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty with a little lo’I clearing. She attends the University of Hawaii and is on her way to a degree in Hawaiian Studies.

And we have siblings all getting ready for school, take for instance the Wakumotos. Kylie is a sophomore at Roosevelt High School, Zoey is attending kindergarten at Maemae Elementary School, and little sister Presley decided she wanted to bring all her bags and kitty as well with her to Tutu & Me! Proud papa is Toby Wakumoto, who works in the Highways Division-Motor Vehicle Safety Office.

Another family that is happy to be back in school are the Aolahikos. It’s a new beginning for Na’ena’e, who is now a middle schooler Mom Karen, who works in the Office of Civil Rights, and dad Greg are proud of their daughter!

And congratulations to Kainoa Gerard who is a freshman at Clark University in Dubuque Iowa. Mom Erica and dad Rodney Gerard, who is an engineer in Highways say he plans to play volleyball and get a degree in education. Best of luck in your studies Kainoa!

Have a great year to all these students, your HDOT family is proud of you!

Riley Regan starts as a junior at ‘Iolani School.

Kylie Wakumoto starts as a sophomore at Roosevelt High. Na’ena’e Aolahiko starts 6th grade at Christian Academy. Jaspar Sage starts 3rd grade.

Presley Wakumoto goes to Tutu & Me preschool.

Daisha-Lee Romualdo is a sophmore at Eastern Washington University. Keira Fujikawa starts kindergarten at Kalaheo Elementary.

Nakulu’ai Aolahiko starts preschool at Christian Academy. Love Kishida starts preschool at Kamehameha Schools. Rajah Jefferson starts his senior year at Waipahu High.