New playground dedicated at King Kamehameha III temporary site in West Maui

With lots of places to climb, jump and slide, new playground equipment delivered something vitally important to keiki at King Kamehameha III Elementary School on Tuesday. And, that’s… fun!

The students lost their place to play last year when a wildfire destroyed their Front Street campus. Now, the students, teachers and staff have relocated, at least temporarily, to a school site at Pulelehua.

“Playgrounds aren’t just fun for the kids. Playgrounds are essential for their physical health, mental health, social skills, creativity and learning,” said Hawaiʻi State Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi after the dedication ceremony.

He thanked Berliner and Playworld, which donated the playground equipment, and Maui United Way and the Public Schools Hawaiʻi Foundation, which donated funds to build them.

The occasion brought out Lahaina native Miss Hawaiʻi USA 2024 Breea Yamat to lead the dedication ceremony, just in time for morning recess and a much-anticipated opportunity for students to climb, scramble and jump aboard the new equipment.

“At our original campus on Front Street, there were multiple structures for our students to play on,” said school Principal Ian Haskins. “To get two new state-of-the-art play structures, here at our new temporary site, will bring a sense of normalcy and joy. Schools and kids need playgrounds. It is where children learn many developmental skills.”

Joining the playground and financial donors at Tuesday’s event were Mayor Richard Bissen, Central Maui Sen. Troy Hashimoto, Central Maui Rep. Justin Woodson, Maui Board of Education member Kahele Dukelow and other West Maui school leaders. 

“We are honored that this school is the first in the world to receive this playground design structure on its campus,” said David Koehler, managing owner of Berliner Play Equipment Corp. “With its many play functions, we hope this playground will bring lots of joy and laughter to the students.”

Hawaii 3R’s facilitated the playground donations.

“Almost a week ago, we reflected on the one-year anniversary of the devastating wildfires that destroyed Lahaina. Having these playgrounds at the temporary school is an important piece in helping to engage students and in bringing some fun on campus,” said Kalowena Komeiji, Hawaii 3Rs executive director.

The Berliner playground is a WaggaWagga design valued at $250,000, with freight costing $18,000. The Playworld Systems playground equipment is valued at $60,000, with freight costing $10,000. 

Founded in 2001 by the late US Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Hawaii 3R’s is a nonprofit committed to helping to Repairing, Remodeling and Restoring public schools, hence Hawaii 3Rs. It has completed more than 500 projects at schools across the state, resulting in a savings to the state of more than $40 million in repair and maintenance costs. Hawaii 3R’s leverages “sweat equity” provided by volunteer help with cash donations to address the repair and maintenance backlog facing Hawaiʻi’s public schools.