Today was a most Beautiful Day Indeed. Mayor Joseph J. Fern Elementary School hosted its First Inaugural Founder's Day since its establishment in 1924. Joseph J. Fern, born and raised in Kohala on the Island of Hawai'i became the first Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu where he served many years. He was Native Hawaiian. Kumu Wada of the Hawaiian Studies helped to organize the event with much help from the Administration, teachers and parents. About 450 students from Kindergarten to 5th grade participated along with about 50 parents. Organizations participating and supporting the event included the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, P ā lama Hawaiian Civic Club, Office of Hawaiian Education-DOE, Office of the Mayor, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. From the moment all the nicely dressed children started pouring out of the classrooms headed to the cafeteria for the celebration, the energy was palpable. Young smiling faces, excited to see the lei, kihei, p ...