Lighthouses have enthralled and captured the interest of 'Iolani first graders, and they have become an integral part of the second quarter curriculum. Students studied the importance of lighthouses through a collection of books and were treated to an unforgettable experience -- a visit to Diamond Head Lighthouse. Admiral Sally Brice-O'hara and the U.S. Coast Guard graciously allowed the first graders and a handful of parent chaperones to spend the morning trekking up 69 steps to see the Fresnel lens and to actually walk cautiously on the lighthouse's catwalk.
Students spent the remainder of the morning making a craft with the parents, learning about boat safety and knot tying from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and interacting with the Admiral's husband, Mr. O'hara. First graders stumped the Coast Guard with their questions, awed them with their knowledge of lighthouses, and the hosts were impressed with their good behavior. It was a field trip the first graders will remember and cherish!
