One after another, over a dozen people testified before the Board of Education's Administrative Services Committee.
"My opinion is that no school should be closed."
"We want to make it really clear we're hear to speak up for the kids," said Jonelle Rezantes, 'Friends of Puuhale'.
"The Friends of Puuhale have every intention of fighting you all the way."
"Think about how you would feel, our school is almost my whole world," said a student of Puuhale Elementary school.
The DOE recommended to the Board that Puuhale and Queen Liluokalani Elementary schools be shut down, creating hundreds of thousands in savings for the state.
The committee deferred taking action last week, so Thursday night they took a vote.
As for Puuhale's future...
"Because of the possibility of potential growth in that area, I cannot see closing and re-opening it just doesn't make sense to me," said Dr. Eileen Clarke, committee member.
By a simple majority, the committee voted against the recommendation to close the campus. Parents and supporters celebrated in the hallways.
"Far out. Outstanding. My opinion is we put up a good fight," said Jesse Manlapat, Puuhale School parent.
"I've been praying for this and I can sleep well now," said Naty Portigo, Puuhale School parent.
"That was the thing, we felt no one was speaking up for the kids of Kalihi and someone needed to articulate the facts," said Rezantes.
Queen Liliuokalani school had a different outcome.
"Given the scale of the numbers here, I cannot help but support the Departments recommendation," said Garrett Toguchi, committee member.
The Committee agreed and recommended that the school be closed.
Queen Liliuokalani's Principal still has hope, but the full Board usually follows the recommendation of the committee.
"We are concerned about our students and will maintain as normal of activities as possible and make sure the transition to the receiving schools is positive," said Ralene Chock, Queen Liliuokalani principal.
The full Board is expected to make a final decision on the school closures at their next meeting March 3rd.
