Lokelani Gets CIP Funds for Heat Abatement

Lokelani Intermediate School.

By Wendy Osher

Lokelani Intermediate School on Maui will benefit from $2 million in funds released by the governor’s office for noise and heat abatement at island schools.

The Lump Sum Capital Improvement Project funds are to improve the learning environment at island schools. State officials say the allocation includes funds for work at, but not necessarily limited to, Lokelani Intermediate.

The funds are part of a larger $26.2 million appropriation approved for release by the governor’s office to improve Hawai’i public school facilities, according to the governor.

“These priority CIPs will help address the many needed repair, maintenance and upgrade projects that have accumulated at our public schools over many years,” said Gov. Abercrombie upon making the announcement today.  “The majority of these funds will go toward statewide projects and programs aimed at providing the suitable, learning-friendly environment for students and teachers that they each deserve,” said the governor in a press release.

The governor provided the following list of projects that he approved for funding:

• $6 million, Hale Kula Elementary, O’ahu: Design, construction and equipment to upgrade and expand the school.
• $5 million, Lump Sum CIP for Science Facility Upgrades at Various High Schools statewide: of highest priority are Race to the Top Zones of School Innovation campuses on Hawai’i Island, followed by schools that were prioritized as having the most safety needs and program requirements such as work stations and storage.
• $5 million, Lump Sum CIP to Relocate/Construct Temporary Facilities for Various Schools statewide: funding includes work at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School on Hawai’i Island, Hanalei Elementary on Kauai, Ewa Beach Elementary on O’ahu, Mililani Mauka Elementary on O’ahu, Koloa Elementary on Kaua’i, and Iliahi Elementary on O’ahu. These schools have been identified as having classroom shortfalls due to increased enrollments, or other needs for additional program space.
• $2 million, Lump Sum CIP for Minor Renovations and Improvements, O’ahu/statewide: Construction for minor additions, renovations and improvements at the former Liliuokalani Elementary School on O’ahu, where various Department of Education personnel will relocate their operations.
• $2 million, Lump Sum CIP for Noise/Heat Abatement, statewide: to improve the learning environment; project includes work at, but not necessarily limited to, Lokelani Intermediate School on Maui.
• $2 million, Lump Sum CIP for Gender Equity at Various Schools, statewide: Design and construction for softball field improvements at Kalani and Kailua High Schools on O’ahu, Kealakehe and Waiakea High Schools as well as Kau High and Pahala Elementary School on Hawai’i Island. Improvements include, but are not limited to, field improvements, drainage improvements, new or replacement backstops and fences, dugouts, bleachers, scoreboards, walkways, and grading.
• $1.5 million, Charter Schools Administrative Office, Hawai’i Island: Relocation of the West Hawai’i Explorations Academy from its current site near Kona International Airport to a new site outside noise contour and tsunami inundation zone.
• $1 million, Salt Lake Elementary School, O’ahu: Design, construction and equipment for renovations to convert two large open classrooms into four separate classrooms each; renovations are designed to provide sound and light separation between individual classes to eliminate distractions and promote learning.
• $1 million, Various Schools, Lump Sum CIP for Master Plans/Land Acquisition, statewide: Planning funds to develop a Facilities Master Plan for DOE schools
• $496,000, McKinley High School, O’ahu: Additional construction funds to complete the fire line for the softball stadium in compliance with fire codes and gender equity requirements; project provides a softball stadium that will also serve as a regional softball facility on O’ahu for interscholastic play.
• $200,000, Aiea Elementary School, O’ahu: Design and construction to install air conditioning to Building A, which is adjacent to Moanalua Road and H-201 Freeway and near H-1 Freeway, to improve the learning environment by reducing vehicular noise.
• $64,000, Aiea High School, O’ahu: Additional construction funds for the administration building expansion project to address unforeseen plumbing and electrical work.