Kamehameha Schools breaks ground on new Wai’anae Coast learning center

October 31, 2013

Contributed by Shaun Chillingworth

The first phase of the KCLC is an Early Learning Complex, which will establish a venue where a suite of services and programs are provided through the collaborative effort of community organizations. These programs will help to strengthen pre-kindergarten learning systems for keiki from ages 0 to 5.

The Early Learning Complex aims to:

• Increase the number of preschool seats on the Wai'anae Coast
• Provide learning opportunities and resources to families with young children
• Create a hub where early childhood organizations can work in close proximity to better serve Wai'anae Coast families

"One of the most important commitments Kamehameha Schools is making to the Wai'anae Coast is the development of Kamehameha Community Learning Centers," said Kalei Ka'ilihiwa, director of community programs – Ka Pua Initiative. "The KCLC will provide spaces for students and families to learn and grow as well as community programs to model innovative, collaborative and impactful services."

Within the Early Learning complex, there are three components:

• 12 Preschool Classrooms being operated by a variety of community organizations including 'Aha P?nana Leo, Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) – Head Start, the Institute for Native Pacific Education & Culture (INPEACE) Keiki Steps program, Kamehameha Schools Community-Based Early Childhood Education program and Wai'anae Coast Early Childhood Services. These classrooms will create 185 new preschool seats for keiki and expand preschool capacity from Kahe Point to Ka'ena Point by 25 percent.
• An Infant Toddler Center which will house programs like Parents and Children Together (PACT) – Early Head Start and Kamehameha Schools' Hi'ilani Early Childhood Family Education. New and expanding families will have access to high quality care for their babies and toddlers during the most important time for learning.
• An Early Learning Kauhale will provide office and meeting spaces for organizations who have long-served the Wai'anae Coast to work side-by-side to best serve keiki and families.

"I commend Kamehameha Schools for taking the lead in creating educational opportunities in a long underserved area," said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. "Early learning provides a solid foundation for lifelong success and this project will have far-reaching impacts that will positively affect our keiki, 'ohana, and community."

Located between Kaukama and St. John's Rd. in Mā'ili, the KCLC was made possible through a collaborative effort with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). In June 2012, the Hawaiian Homes Commission approved a 65-year general lease to Kamehameha Schools for 40 acres on the former Voice of America site to develop the learning center.

"Over the years, our collaboration with Kamehameha Schools has benefitted hundreds of Native Hawaiian families throughout our state," said Jobie Masagatani, Chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. "Today's groundbreaking for the Kamehameha Community Learning Center in Mā'ili represents a commitment by both our trusts to strengthen our community for generations to come."

Swinerton Builders Hawaii has been selected as the general contractor for Phase I of the KCLC, which was designed by architect, MVE Institutional with environmental assessment and entitlement planning by PBR Hawaii & Associates, Inc. The projected cost of Phase I is $33 million and will cover roughly 10.28 acres of the 40 acre site.

Construction on the site will begin on November 1st with an anticipated open date of August 2014 for the on-site preschool programs. Future phases will also include expanding educational supports for youth and adults.

The construction of the new learning center represents one of the three strategies identified by Kamehameha Schools for Ka Pua. Other strategies include supporting collaborations with service providers who are focused on key impact areas (reading and math proficiency, graduation rates, etc.) and ensuring schools are centers of the community and take a holistic approach to supporting students by providing a range of services.

Launched in 2009, the Ka Pua Initiative is Kamehameha Schools' long-term commitment towards supporting schools , community organizations and service providers in laying a foundation of innovation and high educational expectations on the Wai'anae Coast. The Wai'anae Coast of O'ahu is home to the largest concentration of Native Hawaiians in the world. By working within Hawaiian communities to strengthen schools and other educational providers, Kamehameha schools will not only serve Hawaiian families, but will help to lift the level of education and wellbeing for the entire community.

For more information on Kamehameha Schools' Ka Pua Initiative, visit ksbe.edu/kapua.