WAIMEA — When a boy pledges “Scout’s Honor” he vows to keep the promise he makes. Part of the Boy Scout Oath also states, “On my honor I will … help other people at all times.” ADVERTISING WAIMEA — When
WAIMEA — When a boy pledges “Scout’s Honor” he vows to keep the promise he makes. Part of the Boy Scout Oath also states, “On my honor I will … help other people at all times.”
Maile Etherton Jr., a 17-year-old senior at Honokaa High School, who belongs to Waimea Boy Scout Troop #140, did just that recently in Waimea.
Several weeks ago, he organized a group of nearly 50 boys and adults including Cub Scouts ages 8-11 from Waimea and Waikoloa, Boy Scouts ages 12-18 from his own troop, Eagle Scouts 18 and older, and their troop leaders to volunteer two subsequent Saturdays repainting the white lines for parking spaces in the North Hawaii Community Hospital parking lot.
“My church leader Bishop Mativa Tupe, who works at North Hawaii Community Hospital, contacted me and asked if I would consider repainting the hospital parking lot as my Eagle project,” Etherton Jr. said. “I was looking for a project to do and they needed help, so without hesitation I took it on. It was the perfect project for me. I was able to help our local hospital and at the same time complete the most important step of earning the rank of Eagle Scout. I couldn’t have done it without the wonderful help and support of the hospital’s staff, my Scout troop and leaders, church and community members, family and friends.”
Before the Scouts took on the challenge, the lines were so faded it was hard to see where to park at the hospital.
“This was especially challenging for our older drivers, and people ended up parking askew,” said Lynn Scully, NHCH’s marketing and communications manager. “Now with such clear lines, people can see where to park much better, plus the marked driving lanes and no-drive areas as well as ‘visitor parking’ and ‘handicapped parking,’ so the whole flow is better.”
With this project completed, Etherton Jr. will soon earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
“After months of planning and preparation for my Eagle Scout Service Project, I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish with the help of everyone,” Etherton Jr. said. “There’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing people working together to do something good.”
