What would a Hawai'i public elementary school principal do with $25,000?

Fix the library, buy computers, set up a science center ... the wish list is varied, but the possibility is real.

Island Insurance Foundation will award $10,000 to a Department of Education principal and an additional $15,000 to that principal's school in the annual Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award. The award is named in honor of the late founder of Island Insurance Co. Last year's winner, Myron Monte of Dole Middle school, gave the entire amount, including the check meant for him, to his school.

Twelve finalists have been chosen, each completing a detailed application.

Elynne Chung of Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary described an ongoing project to make the school's 60-year-old library more user-friendly. Nelson Shigeta envisions a lending library at Makaha Elementary that could be enjoyed by both students and families. "The closest bookstore is Borders, 24 miles away," he wrote.

The principal at Waikele Elementary, Carmielita Minami, would set up an early language initiative for 4- and 5-year-olds in the Waipahu community while Mitchell Otani would create a science center with robotics, rockets and electricity kits at Kane'ohe Elementary. Carol Peterson wants to buy laptops that Mililani Mauka students could check out for homework and during vacation breaks.

At Kaunakakai Elementary on Moloka'i, principal Janice Espiritu wants the school to launch an eco-friendly community-based energy project.

One on the wish list is a little different, though.

Principal Stanley Tamashiro of 'Ewa Elementary wants to reclaim a legacy at his school.

"In the late 1800s, 'Ewa School and the sugar plantation company were established where history and traditions were very important," Tamashiro wrote. "From 1928, group pictures of the graduating classes were framed and displayed on the cafeteria wall in a glass case. This tradition was only continued until 1967, coincidentally, the year I graduated, so the last picture hung was of my sixth-grade class."

Tamashiro would like to display archived class pictures for all the 'Ewa school years to foster a sense of pride and connectedness among the students.

Each of the 12 finalists received $1,000. The big winner will be announced at the Public School Foundation dinner May 20.