April 7, 2010
Contributed by Thomas Yoshida
Stone presented the agreements for the land gift to KS and for the conveyance to DHHL during a ceremony in Governor Lingle's office today.
With the agreements now signed, KS will proceed with plans to develop and manage a broad-based educational complex on approximately 70 acres of currently vacant land donated by Stone. DHHL will receive approximately 230 acres from Stone – adjacent on three sides to the KS parcel – to develop an affordable, energy efficient Hawaiian homestead community.
"Today, with the help of Kamehameha Schools and DHHL, we lay the foundation for a uniquely Hawaiian learning complex and community development I believe will become the educational anchor for the Leeward Coast," said Jeffrey R. Stone.
"This gift of land will ensure that the families who live here, from keiki to kupuna, are provided every opportunity to succeed professionally while making certain the Hawaiian culture continues to flourish."
In expressing her thanks for the Stone Family's gift, Kamehameha Schools' Chief Executive Officer Dee Jay Mailer said the Mākaha learning complex is an important part of a larger effort to leverage educational resources along the entire Leeward Coast of O'ahu.
"Your gift brings Kamehameha Schools a step closer to realizing our vision for adding our support to the many good works already underway on the Leeward Coast," said Mailer. "The learning community that we envision for Mākaha Valley will be what we and the Leeward Coast community want it to be. It will be a place for educational and cultural renewal and enrichment. It will offer strengthening and capacity building for keiki and their 'ohana, and for teachers, practitioners and other community learners. It will be a place dedicated to improving the capability and well-being of an entire community."
"This is an opportunity for two Hawaiian Trusts to work together, not only for the betterment of native Hawaiians, but for everyone on the Leeward Coast," said Kaulana Park, Director of DHHL and Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission. "Additionally, we will build another prospering community integrating educational learning, traditional practices and housing into a modern day ahupua'a, and a new lifestyle as one community."
"The generosity of the Stone Family will help bring together the many good quality existing educational programs and services along the Leeward Coast," said Governor Linda Lingle. "These programs will be leveraged with the excellent resources of Kamehameha Schools along with the community building commitment of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to improve the quality of education and the overall lifestyle of our residents. This innovative partnership between the private sector, two Hawaiian trusts and the Leeward Coast community represents a unique opportunity to transform the educational experiences for our keiki and their 'ohana. Together this will create a stronger future for our state."
The learning community at Mākaha is envisioned as a sustainable, cultural and educational gathering place that supports, in perpetuity, the entire Leeward Coast. Kamehameha's educational site will model innovative and collaborative education program delivery for learners of all ages and all connected or coordinated with the schools and other learning programs on the Coast. The surrounding DHHL community will exemplify sustainable integration of live, work, play and learn ideals and principles.
Other background:
Who are the collaborators in the Mākaha project?
The learning community is a collaboration among Kamehameha Schools, Jeffrey R. Stone and the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Developer Jeffrey R. Stone is gifting approximately 70 acres in Mākaha Valley to Kamehameha Schools, and making another 230 adjacent acres available to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Kamehameha Schools will be responsible for build-out and management of the educational site and its integration with other educational and social services resources of the Coast. DHHL will develop the homes and other community features around the educational site.
What do you hope to accomplish with this initiative? The learning community at Mākaha will be a sustainable, cultural and educational gathering center that supports, in perpetuity, the entire Leeward Coast, from Ka'ena Point to Kapolei. It will strengthen and enrich new and existing educational programs and initiatives – public and private - for learners of all ages along the Leeward Coast and beyond. The residential community built around the educational site will exemplify stable, seamless integration of live, work, play and learn ideals and principles.
Why Mākaha?
The largest population of Native Hawaiians in the world resides on the Leeward Coast of O'ahu. The 300 acres conveyed by Stone in Mākaha Valley provides a site where both Kamehameha Schools and DHHL can fulfill their missions and realize mutual dreams of growing thriving communities, with education, economic growth, strong 'ohana and culture at their base.
What will the Learning Community look like?
While still very conceptual, the learning community would not be a school campus per se. Instead, it is envisioned as an extension of community good work. A multi-generational learning venue that blends the best of indigenous and western knowledge and experiences, the site would first and foremost serve the youngest of learners (0-5) and their families through early learning facilities. Programs at the site would also support community school efforts along the Coast to provide 21st century learning. State-of-the-art facilities and learning sites would provide rich learning experiences for students, teachers and the community that would support transformational efforts within community schools. Other elements could include a community service center, a performing arts venue, a P-20 learning hall, loÿi and indigenous gardens.
How long will it take for this project to be completed?
From the time construction begins – projected to be some time in 2012 – the Mākaha project is expected to have a development horizon of 15 to 20 years, which will occur in phases.
Resources
Watch Video on www.ksbe.edu
Site Plan (PDF)
Location Map (PDF)
Concept Plan (PDF)
Kamehameha Schools CEO Dee Jay Mailer speaks to the audience at the Governor's Office
(Photos by Michael Young)
Developer Jeffrey Stone (center) presents the formal deed to DHHL Director Kaulana Park (left) and Dee Jay Mailer with Trustees Micah Kane (left of Mailer) and Corbett Kalama.
Governor Lingle addresses the large crowd at her office.
# # #
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
