Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann at KahukuHonolulu City and County Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who has relatives in Ko'olauloa, visited two classes at Kahuku Elementary on March 3 as a volunteer in the school's Read Across America program. In an animated and enthusiastic style, His Honor read aloud from Dr. Seuss' "Oh, The Places You'll Go."

"I'm going to read you one of my most favorite stories," Mayor Hannemann said of the incomparable Dr. Seuss book that addresses the potential people have to follow their dreams and even "move mountains."

"This book has a great many lessons for all of us," the mayor told the 26 students in Mr. Walter Lee's second grade class, who listened attentively. He added that they "could be winners, just like the Kahuku girls who won the state wrestling championship."

At the end of the story, Mayor Hannemann asked the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. After listening to their wide range of responses, he said, "you can dream. You can do it."

Honolulu Mayor Hannemann in Mr. Walter Lee's class, Kahuku Elementary

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann (holding the book)
with Mr. Walter Lee's second grade class at
Kahuku Elementary School.

The National Education Association sponsors the Read Across America program each year to help promote reading awareness on Dr. Seuss' birthday. Other volunteer readers at Kahuku Elementary included reigning Miss Hawaii Ashley Layfield and "Chief" Sielu Avea as well as parents, Kahuku Substation firefighters, a U.S. Army group and others. Layfield and Avea later performed for the students during an assembly.