Big Island’s only Catholic school still needs more support to overcome large deficit worsened by COVID-19
By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The only Catholic school on Hawaii Island will stay open for the next academic year.
St. Joseph School in Hilo made the announcement on June 5 after several weeks of fundraising and promotion for the Catholic pre-K through 12th grade, which has faced a significant deficit in recent years which COVID-19 worsened.
St. Joseph Parish’s pastor, Father Apolinario Ty, a priest of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, made the decision to keep the school open for the 2020-2021 school year based on a strong show of donations and pledges in recent weeks.
“When the problem was made open to all the sectors concerned, instead of giving up, everybody chose to move mountains to keep it open,” Father Ty told the Hawaii Catholic Herald in a June 6 email. “The dedication of all these people: the students, the teachers and staff, the school board, the parents, the alumni, the concerned parishioners and friends, the diocesan staff and parish officers, translated into their commitment to raising the necessary funds to cover the operating expenses to keep it open.
“This together with our concern for the future of the young people of our Catholic community was the primary reason to make such a decision to keep it open.”
The school’s newly established Cardinal Legacy Foundation has $375,025 in pledges so far.
Donations collected by the parish as of June 7 are at $23,445, and money given directly to the school adds up to $33,578. St. Joseph is still working to raise the remaining $68,000 to reach its $500,000 fundraising goal.
“We believe that we offer a quality, Catholic, educational plan and will be working closely with the School Board in finalizing a long-range strategic plan that will include developing a foundation and partnerships so St. Joseph School can continue to be a strong educational institution in Hilo for many years to come,” wrote school principal Michael Pa‘ekukui in a June 5 letter.
Father Ty emphasized the uncertainty of St. Joseph’s future beyond next school year.
“I just hope everyone will continue to show their enthusiasm and commitment so we can keep it open not only this year but for another century,” Father Ty said.
Pandemic worsened finances
The 151-year-old school’s future wasn’t looking great in mid-May. Because of a reduction in parish donations during the new coronavirus pandemic. Father Ty said St. Joseph Church didn’t have the financial means to keep the in-debt school afloat.
Each of Hawaii’s 25 parish-based schools operate their finances separately and are guided by the oversight of the Hawaii Catholic School office and the Diocese of Honolulu. The schools often receive support from their parish in addition to student tuition income. They also usually have lower tuition than many other Hawaii private schools and offer financial aid to many families.
A May 20 letter from Pa‘ekukui summarized the school’s difficult financial situation.
“Unfortunately, due to accumulation of past debt to the parish and the Diocese [of Honolulu], tuition in arrears for this and past school years, and the impact of COVID-19, the school projects a loss in every scenario proposed,” he wrote.
The school had considered faculty cuts, combined grades and an online learning component, but none of those options would make up the deficit.
“COVID certainly adds to the school’s financial difficulties and even the future with only eight preschool students (allowed) per teacher and aide,” Pa‘ekukui told the Hawaii Catholic Herald in a June 4 email. “The new rules will make things a bit tough … but we are ready to implement a safe return.”
Pa‘ekukui, who just finished his first year as the school’s principal, asked for help from the Catholic and wider community to raise $500,000 in a short amount of time to sustain the school.
Fundraising and gratitude
Parents, teachers, students and diocesan and community supporters got the fundraising word out soon after the school’s potential closure was announced.
Publicity efforts included news coverage and social media posts like a video showing students donating their own money and money they’d raised. St. Joseph students submitted their own praise for the Hilo school.
“We are the future and the future of the church,” said an incoming sophomore identified as T. Butler, who has attended St. Joseph since preschool. “The teachers at Saint Joseph School show that they care for their students and will often go out of their way to ensure that we get the best education.”
Rising senior W. Nakamura said that St. Joseph “feels like a home to me, somewhere I feel safe, protected, and I know I will be getting a great education.”
“There are truly people that care about this school and want us to stay open not only for the benefit of themselves, but for the benefit of our community,” Nakamura said.
“It gives students a controlled, safe, and loving environment to improve upon themselves in many ways,” said recent eighth grade graduate S. Helms, who added, “It’s a school that has supported the Hilo community for more than a 100 years.”
St. Joseph, Hilo, was founded in 1869 “for the purpose of teaching English to the native Hawaiians,” according to a history on the school’s website. The present-day school was built in 1948.
The pre-K through 12th-grade school had nine graduates in its senior class this year and a total enrollment of 283 students.
A socially distanced, student sign-waving of appreciation was set to take place June 8 in front of the school.
Donations to St. Joseph School, Hilo, can be sent c/o business manager Jasmine Nardo, St. Joseph Church, 1000 Ululani St., Hilo, HI 96720. Or donate online at stjoehilo.weshareonline.org and thecardinallegacyfoundation.org. Calling 935-4936 or more information.
