Kamehameha Schools donates $4.8 million in modular buildings to charter schools

July 9, 2012

Contributed by ksinfo

"Our students, staff and faculty took good care of these classrooms and are so happy that they will be used as classrooms for others, said Dee Jay mailer, KS CEO. "Our founder, Ke Ali'i Pauahi, asked that we educate her people. The charter schools we fund can make good use of these state-of-the-art modular buildings to do just that!"

Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School in Lihu'e, Kaua'i says its campus is now complete with the addition of the new buildings.

"We are so blessed and thankful to Kamehameha Schools for this gift of modular buildings for the keiki, 'ohana and kumu of Kawaikini," said Kaleimakamae Ka'auwai, Kahu/Luna Ho'okele (Executive Director). "This gift of buildings helps Kawaikini to provide safe and secure buildings for all our keiki, kumu and staff and will also provide us more space for our keiki and kumu who are currently in tents and in small and very tight classrooms."

KS offered each of the 17 Hawaiian-focused and conversion charter schools it supports the opportunity to express interest in receiving the modulars at no cost except to transport them from the Waiawa holding area to their respective schools – five responded and demonstrated their readiness (logistically and financially) to acquire them. Kamaile Academy, Hālau Kū Mana and Samuel M. Kamakau on O'ahu, and Kanuikapono and Kawaikini on Kaua'i will have their modulars assembled and ready to go by the end of the calendar year. Each of the 24 modular buildings is valued at $200,000 and includes general, science, athletic, health classrooms, restrooms and storage space. The buildings are approximately 1,536 square feet each and are equipped with air conditioning and are Wi-Fi ready.

" I am so excited to see these buildings given to the five charter schools," said Wai'ale'ale Sarsona, KS' Ho'olako Like director. "The schools needed these in order to expand educational offerings and meet the demands of their increasing student enrollment. This donation is especially critical during these tough economic times as capital improvement fund development is difficult."

Representatives from all five schools will be accepting their keys from KS for their respective modular buildings at the Waiawa holding site on Tuesday, July 10 at 10 a.m. during a visit to see the modular buildings.

"Four of the modular buildings will replace older buildings and be used as classrooms for the elementary, grades Kindergarten through 6th grade," added Ka'auwai. "One of the buildings will provide a classroom for grades seven through eight. Another building will replace an older building and be used as a Resource/Computer building. And finally, two bathroom buildings will be used to replace the port-a-potties we have used for the last four years. We are ready!"

Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The year 2012 marks the 125th anniversary of the opening of Kamehameha Schools, which today operates a statewide educational system enrolling over 6,900 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i and 31 preschool sites statewide. Over 40,000 additional Hawaiian learners and caregivers are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools' outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai'i and across the continental United States.

Media contact: Contact: Elizabeth Ahana, (808) 384-9610