My son, a dedicated senior high school athlete, was eagerly looking forward to spending his last year playing basketball and volleyball in our own school gymnasium, conveniently located right in our community in Hawaii. However, due to the severe damage inflicted by the Kona Low storm last March, he and his peers have been forced to brave distances and inconvenience by relocating their practices and games to far-off gyms, severely limiting their accessibility to proper athletic facilities.

Unfortunately, our school gym, which served as the heart of our community's extracurricular activities, has yet to be repaired. The damaged facility remains closed with no signs of restoration or action from the local authorities. This has overshadowed not only our boys' and girls' volleyball seasons but now threatens the upcoming basketball season as well, leaving students like my sons, who also play for the community basketball team, without a venue to train or host tournaments right in our neighborhood.

The absence of the gym has further deprived our student body and the larger community of vital school functions and events that typically cultivate school spirit and community engagement. Despite the evident necessity, the facility remains unattended, and decisions from our local governance are distressingly stagnant.

This petition seeks immediate action to prioritize and expedite the repair and reopening of our school's gymnasium. Our students deserve the right to complete their high school journey with the full spectrum of experiences our school promises, including thriving athletic programs. Furthermore, having a fully-functioning gym in proximity means fostering greater community participation and bolstering local sports activities without unnecessary hindrance.

We propose creating a collaborative task force that includes school representatives, local government officials, and community members dedicated to assessing the damages and developing a realistic repair timeline. Fundraising and seeking state or federal grants to finance these repairs could also be explored. It is imperative we allocate resources effectively and in a timely manner to safeguard the interests of our students and community.

Let’s come together to ensure that our youth have the facilities they need and deserve. By supporting this petition, you are adding your voice to the call for responsibility and action from our governing bodies. Please sign this petition and help us restore what is critically needed for our children and the community's well-being.