Governor Releases $134.7 Million for Hawaii Schools

Press Release

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $134.7 million for capital improvement projects (CIPs), identified by members of the state Legislature, that will improve Hawaii’s public school facilities while enhancing economic conditions.

“These priority projects will address many needed repairs and upgrades at our public schools to create environments in which students can learn and thrive,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “The improvements are an investment in our keiki and our economy. Capital improvement projects like these across the state are contributing to Hawaii’s strong economy and our improved state unemployment rate, which declined to 4.7 percent in May.”

Allotment of funds for the following priority projects has been approved by the Governor:

 

Various Schools, Statewide

• $41,700,000 – Construction for numerous repair and maintenance projects at school facilities across the state, including re-roofing, electrical upgrades, plumbing and other work
• $2,000,000 – Planning, design, construction and equipment to provide energy improvements at various schools to identify inefficiencies and develop and implement energy conservation plans; the DOE will identify those schools with inordinate electricity consumption as compared to other schools
• $1,000,000 – Planning, design and construction to remove potentially hazardous material to ensure various state schools are up-to-date with current federal standards
• $500,000 – Construction to provide safe, age appropriate, and accessible playground equipment and walkways that meet the ADA Accessibility Guidelines at campuses that include Aina Haina, Manoa, Waialae, Pearl City Highlands, and Pahala Elementary Schools

Specific Schools

• $40,000,000 – Kapolei II Elementary School, Oahu – Construction for the new Kapolei II Elementary School to accommodate population growth in this area of Oahu; the school will accommodate approximately 750 students
• $9,600,000 – Ewa Elementary School, Oahu – Construction and equipment for an eight-classroom building to meet growth and enrollment needs; the building will include seven general education classrooms, one computer lab, one faculty center, two utility closets, restrooms, and mechanical/electrical/communications rooms
• $8,000,000 – McKinley High School, Oahu – Design and construction to create a new synthetic track and field per recommendations of a completed athletic master plan for the school; project includes the demolition and rebuilding of existing structures occupying the area
• $5,000,000 – Kawananakoa Middle School, Oahu – Design, construction and equipment for auditorium renovations to allow the facility to meet current ADA accessibility and building and fire codes, as well as modernize the facility as a performing arts center
• $4,665,000 – Kapolei High School, Oahu – Design and construction of locker rooms and related facilities necessary to provide equitable girls and boys athletic, PE or other locker room facilities and appurtenances, in compliance with federal standards (Design funds are necessary to re-adjust the location of the athletic locker rooms)
• $2,500,000 – Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, Oahu – Design and construction of a new synthetic track and field to be used by the five Leeward District High Schools and also for the Special Olympics regional track and field championships, as hosted by Nanakuli for the last 20 years (The current cinder track is used daily by student athletes, special needs students, and the general community)
• $1,480,000 – Ewa Beach Elementary School, Oahu – Design and construction to address various electrical and related site work to provide for current and future technology needs
• $1,251,000 – Mililani High School, Oahu – Design and construction to remove and reconstruct the tennis courts due to wear and tear and damage from tree roots and water, as well as resurfacing of the lower parking lot and be ADA compliant
• $1,200,000 – Aiea Intermediate School, Oahu – Design and construction to address various electrical and related site work to provide for current and future technology needs at Aiea Intermediate School
• $1,200,000 – Waiau Elementary, Oahu – Design and construction to address various electrical and related site work to provide for current and future technology needs
• $1,100,000 – Mililani High School, Oahu - Design and construction of additional restrooms and concession improvements
• $1,050,000 – Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, Oahu – Design and construction to provide protection for students and staff from rain and the sun as they walk to the cafeteria, as there is no protection at present, and also provide drinking fountains for the students (The walkway will connect up to 6 buildings)
• $997,000 – McKinley High School, Oahu – Design and construction for various electrical work (e.g., upgrading electrical transformers and panels, telecommunications systems, electrical outlets, and data ports) and other related site work to provide for current and future technology needs at the school
• $950,000 – Aiea Intermediate School, Oahu – Design and construction for a retaining wall, perimeter fence, and pedestrian gate with a ramp/walkway transition to the school parking lot
• $940,000 – Lahaina Intermediate School, Maui – Design and construction for ADA compliant boys and girls restrooms
• $800,000 – Kamaile Elementary School (Kamaile Academy Public Charter School), Oahu – Design and construction for various electrical system improvements and related site work (CIP projects for conversion charter schools such as Kamaile are implemented by DOE since the campuses are still considered DOE property)
• $750,000 – Kanoelani Elementary School, Oahu – Design and construction of a covered walkway for students and staff from inclement weather and the sun as they walk to the cafeteria (This walkway will connect up to 5 buildings)
• $650,000 – Pearl Ridge Elementary, Oahu – Design and construction of a covered walkway for students and staff from rain and the sun as they walk to the cafeteria (This walkway will connect up to 4 buildings)
• $625,000 – Kaleiopuu Elementary School, Oahu – Design and construction for a second evacuation ramp through the back of the campus in case of an emergency
• $550,000 – Kaleiopuu Elementary School, Oahu – Construction to provide various electrical system upgrades to provide ample power infrastructure to support technology-based curriculum
• $500,000 – Waiakea High School, Hawaii Island – Additional construction for all-weather track and field facilities to be shared with Hilo High School, as both schools are currently using county facilities to host track and field events; this phase of the project involves the replacement of grass turf with all-weather surfacing and drainage enhancements (the current track and infield are subject to frequent rains)
• $500,000 – Kauai High School, Kauai – Construction for renovation of Building T (a former locker room) and a new technology center, which will include a computer lab, visual design studio, two ADA-compliant restrooms, and office and storage space
• $500,000 – Central Maui Middle Schools, Maui – Planning for a new school to accommodate population growth in Central Maui; according to the DOE, schools in the area are already over capacity and, as a condition for developing a housing project in Central Maui, the developer has set aside space for this new school (no funds to purchase land will be needed)
• $475,000 – Washington Middle School, Oahu – Design, equipment and construction to transform an existing underutilized wood shop classroom into a combined agriculture laboratory/classroom and have room for computers and lab equipment so that students may have first-hand experience relating to plant science and lab activities
• $450,000 – Waikiki Elementary School, Oahu – Design and construction for a dedicated student drop-off on the makai side of campus, along Leahi Avenue, to significantly improve traffic congestion and safety (the school has doubled its enrollment in the last 10 years)
• $410,000 – Kalaheo High School, Oahu – Design and construction for bleachers between the athletic field and tennis courts; this project will also address erosion control on the hillside slope
• $375,000 – Makakilo Elementary, Oahu – Design, equipment and construction for a portable classroom for special education students
• $360,000 – Manana Elementary School Library, Oahu – Restroom renovations and security and energy efficiency improvements in the school Library
• $350,000 – Waiakeawaena Elementary School, Hawaii Island – Design and construction to provide safe and accessible playground equipment to meet ADA accessibility guidelines
• $350,000 – Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, Oahu – Design and construction to address various electrical and related site work to provide for current and future technology needs
• $330,000 – Moanalua Elementary School, Oahu – Design and construction of additional parking and a drop-off lane for the students
• $330,000 – Kapunahala Elementary School, Oahu – Design and construction to add wheelchair access to the second floor of a two-story classroom building to meet ADA accessibility guidelines
• $256,000 – Kalihi Uka Elementary School, Oahu – Construction to repair roof leaks in Building C
• $250,000 – Roosevelt High School, Oahu – Planning for comprehensive master plan to address lack of onsite parking and placement of future new or expanded facilities, such as the existing gymnasium and music facility, which are undersized and antiquated
• $200,000 – Kipapa Elementary School, Oahu – Construction to replace the air conditioning system at the school's administration building (Building J)
• $195,000 – Washington Middle School, Oahu – Design, construction and equipment for the renovation of an existing computer classroom that will include a multimedia studio enabling students to broadcast live events, produce instructional DVDs, documentaries, and public service announcements; it will also allow the school's video production class to provide its students with exposure to college and career opportunities
• $190,000 – Honowai Elementary School, Oahu – Design and construction to replace a steep, slippery, single-run outdoor stairway at Building H with a wider and safer stairway having a gentler slope
• $150,000 – Ala Wai Elementary School, Oahu – Design and construction of a secure space to store equipment and repair school furniture
• $25,000 – Moanalua High School, Oahu – Additional Phase 1 construction for Auditorium/Performing Arts Center, including a rehearsal hall/band room facility with instructional support spaces (Additional funds are necessary to complete necessary items such as additional permitting and electrical connection fees)