Celebrating 30 years of the Assets School Playground

Oct 30 2024

With oversight from Head of School Barrett B. McCandless, Assets Parent Faculty Association President Suzy Childs led the planning, design, and construction of the infamous Ala Anuenue (Path to the Rainbow) playground with incredible support from families, faculty, staff, trustees, military members, and the broader community in partnership with Leathers and Associates. The structure was completed in April 1994.

Reflecting on the playground, Suzy Childs shared, “It was the start of bringing parents to the school, and it showed how much of a difference parents could make.”

Childs still has a painted hammer from 1994 when her son Matt attended Assets. Childs gave committee chairs painted hammers as a memento of the project. Today, Matt is a successful technology professional with his own business.

"It was Susan’s vision that made this a reality,” said Sandi Tadaki, Assistant Head of School and Admissions Director.”Parents led and staffed various committees that provided childcare, prepared and served food, managed hand tools and heavy equipment, and offered nighttime security, among a trillion other things."

Tadaki served as the chair of the Student Design Committee.

“The students were excited that the contractor, Robert Leathers and Associates, wanted their input,” Tadaki recalls. “From all their musings, the one thing that remained was the dragon, prominently displayed on the front of the structure with the spiral slide, now long gone, as its tongue. Not everyone could see the dragon, which made it all the more special for the team.”

The team was supported by Wes Zane, an Assets parent and restaurant industry veteran with Hy's Restaurant, who co-chaired the Food Committee with Debbie Larson and ensured that volunteers had meals throughout the project.

Assets parent and alumna Elizabeth (Herring) Mitchell’s mom and dad were among the volunteers who helped build the playground. Mitchell’s mom was the unskilled labor foreman overseeing several people, including her work boss from First Hawaiian Bank.

“I loved that it had enough nooks and crannies that as tweens, we could all find our hiding spot to talk,” said Elizabeth Mitchell, whose daughter Kailyn ‘33 now enjoys what students call the structure.

Kiwanis Club member Kay Tokunaga said she was overwhelmed with the project's scope.

“Max Templeman was the focal point for us, and he had a ‘can do’ attitude,” Tokunaga said. “I was impressed with the support from the families and community. It was an exciting day, watching and participating in erecting the playground for Assets School, as Max would have said, ‘Wow! Wow! Wow!’"

In a unique collaboration, 40 inmates from OCCC also joined in the effort, demonstrating the power of community spirit.

“OCCC inmates came out to put the telephone poles,” said Childs. “One of the inmates told me that if they had a school like this, they probably wouldn't be in jail.”

Many people wanted to be involved. Volunteers secured donations for supplies and labor to reduce the playground's cost.

“Our play structure, Ala Anuenue (Path to the Rainbow), is iconic,” said Tadaki. “It never fails to elicit awe, wonder, and excitement in all who see it and speaks to the heart of the child in us all. I've taken prospective students on tours; children who were vocal in their reluctance to come to Assets changed their minds instantaneously as soon as our play structure came into view. Middle schoolers out on their recess break may think they're too cool to play on it, but when they're out there alone or with just a few of their peers, they will unleash their playful selves. One Project Grad group ended their celebration on our lower school campus because many were eager to revisit their old classrooms and play on the structure one last time. Our play structure is inviting, fuels the imagination, and provides comfort and tremendous joy. It is the perfect reflection of who we are as a school.”

The playground has been the backdrop for many cherished events, from the 1995 High School graduation and May Day celebrations to Halloween parades and multicultural festivities. In a televised performance aired on Hawaii News Now, it hosted a segment on the 65th anniversary featuring local music legends Henry Kapono and Assets alumnus and ukulele player Kapono Wong ‘20.

After nearly three decades, the playground remains a cherished part of the school, with recent upgrades including replacing the original swings. Plans for the future include building a new structure to replace the Ala Anuenue Playground.

Timeline

September 1993 - Schematic Drawing from Robert Leathers and Associates
March 13, 1994 - Blessing and Rally held for amphitheater and playground
April 1994 - Playground completed

Assets students on the Ala Anuenue Playground — *Above: Students enjoy exploring all the areas of the Ala Anuenue playground.*

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Celebrating 30 years of the Assets School Playground

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