VIDEO: New Cafeteria Will Feed Need in Paia

By Wendy Osher

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEvlh2hnAkU /] A groundbreaking and dedication ceremony was held this morning for a new cafeteria at Pa‘ia Elementary School.

In 2005, the school’s 70 year-old cafeteria was destroyed in a fire, forcing students to eat their lunches in shifts for the past 6 years in a smaller building on campus.

When the incident first occurred, the school began preparing lunches at the neighboring town of Makawao at Kalama Elementary School. The transport time, county officials say, at times resulted in the delivery of food that was cold or lukewarm.

Pa'ia School, Cafeteria Groundbreaking. Photo courtesy Rod Antone, County of Maui.

Once the new cafeteria is complete, students will not only be able to get hot lunches on a regular basis, but will be able to move from the make-shift cafeteria that is too small for the student body.

“This will really enhance the school’s ability to have not only a cafeteria working again, but public meetings,” on the school grounds, said Mayor Alan Arakawa, who was among the dignitaries in attendance today.

Pa'ia School, Cafeteria Groundbreaking. Photo courtesy Rod Antone, County of Maui.

Mayor Arakawa credited school principal, Susan Alivado with pushing hard for funding, and Senate President Shan Tsutsui with securing the legislative dollars for the project.

“While there have been many challenges and setbacks associated with this project, I am very pleased that the day has finally come to break ground on the new cafeteria,” said Sen. Pres. Shan Tsutsui. “This facility will not only benefit students by allowing them to eat together, but will also provide an additional gathering place for the community.”

The cafeteria is expected to be completed in November 2012 and will include a small prep kitchen and convection oven.

Pa'ia School, Cafeteria Groundbreaking. Photo courtesy Rod Antone, County of Maui.

Pa'ia School, Cafeteria Groundbreaking. Photo courtesy Rod Antone, County of Maui.

Pa'ia School, Cafeteria Groundbreaking. Photo courtesy Rod Antone, County of Maui.