September 1, 2009
Contributed by Thomas Yoshida
"The first years of life are a critical time in a child's development and to address this fact, our Education Strategic Plan, puts a special emphasis on our young learners, which focuses on children ages 0-8." said Chris Pating, Vice President for Strategic Planning and Implementation for Kamehameha Schools. "Kamehameha Preschool at He'eia will introduce positive educational experiences to children at a young age and will strengthen our effort to build capacity for learning and long term inter-generational change among Native Hawaiian families."
The 9,752 square-foot educational facility consists of three modular buildings which will house six classrooms and administrative offices. A variety of sustainable design elements have been planned for the new Preschool to reduce the building's overall carbon footprint. Kamehameha Schools will be pursuing Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, since the structure will emphasize inclusion of the surrounding natural environment, and include open air ventilation, low-flow water fixtures and the use of natural light whenever possible. Plans are also underway to investigate the feasibility of using photovoltaic panels as a source of energy.
The playground equipment from the temporary preschool site, located between Windward Mall and He'eia Elementary School, will be relocated to the new Preschool. And once construction is complete, the temporary preschool will be closed.
"We know each year there are more than 1,200 3- and 4-year-olds in the Ko'olau Poko community who should be enrolled in a preschool program," said Terry Lock, Director of Kamehameha Schools' Community-Based Early Childhood Education. "To help ease the transition from home to school, the Preschool is designed to provide keiki with a familiar and comfortable, home like environment that they can grow and learn in."
Kamehameha Preschool at He'eia supports Kamehameha Schools' Education Strategic Plan, approved by the Trustees in June 2005, which prioritizes education support and service to children prenatal to age 8. Kamehameha Schools established its first preschool program in 1980. In more than 25 years of operation, KS preschools have provided more than 11,000 keiki with their first school experience.
Present at the ceremony were (from left): Kahu Kordell Kekoa, Chris Pating, Malia Newhouse, Haunani Akoi, Terry Lock, Janine Keohokalole (KS Preschool parent, 07-08), CEO Dee Jay Mailer and Trustee Diane Plotts. (Photos by Michael Young)
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
