Waimea Preschool Dedicated

April 17, 2002

Contributed by Kekoa Paulsen

The preschool site, located on Mamalahoa Highway, 1-1/2 miles east of Waimea town, has four classrooms and a student enrollment of 32 three-year-olds and 40 four-year-olds. Official first day of instruction for students is Monday, April 22, 2002. Kamehameha Schools developed the site in partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. "We are very pleased to finally see the completion of this facility. Adding educational preschool resources in Waimea has been a goal of ours for 11 years. With this site opening, we now have 6 West Hawaii preschool campuses, serving 276 West Hawaii families, and covering over a 100 miles from north Kohala to south Honaunau," said Barbara Souza, Kamehameha Schools West Hawaii Regional Manager, Early Education. Kamehameha Schools now operates a total of 13 preschools on the island of Hawaii, with a statewide total of 32. Established by the Will of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Kamehameha Schools provides educational opportunities for Native Hawaiians. Studies have underscored the significant role of early education in lifelong learning. The Kamehameha Schools' Preschool Program is based on the belief that children learn best with the help of their parents, families, teachers and peers, and through experience with their physical and social environments. For more information, contact Barbara Souza, West Hawai'i Regional Manager, Early Education, at (808)329-0599.