By Staff Reports

(Honolulu) – Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced the release of more than $65.6 million to the state Department of Education (DOE) for capital improvement projects (CIP) that will improve dozens of public schools across the state, while adding local jobs and enhance economic conditions.

“Including the $62.4 million released for DOE projects last week, my administration has now announced the release of more than $600 million dollars for education improvements,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “This is an investment in our keiki and our strengthening economy.”

Kaiser High School Head Football Coach Rich Miano said, “This project will have an immediate impact on four schools that use Kaiser’s athletic facilities as their home venue. It will also benefit the whole state of Hawaii because we will be able to host a variety of events including Special Olympics and NFL combines.”

Allotment of funds for the following projects, identified by state legislators, has been approved by the Governor:

$25,850,000 – King Kekaulike High New Auditorium, Maui – Construction funds for an auditorium to complete previously-initiated design work. The school currently uses its cafeteria stage and student dining area for performing arts and assembly-type functions. The new auditorium will be a standalone structure and will provide support for performing arts and music programs at the school.

$15,000,000 – Farrington High Campus Modernization (Phase 1), Oahu – Design and construction funds to implement Phase 1 of the school’s campus modernization project. The project will start with upgrades to athletic facilities and include a new synthetic track and field and a new locker/shower facility. Future phases will replace the backlog of repair and maintenance projects associated with a master rehabilitation plan of the entire campus.

$5,000,000 – Kawananakoa Middle Auditorium, Oahu – Design and construction funds to renovate the school’s auditorium to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, building and fire codes, along with modernization of the facility as a performing arts center.

$4,850,000 – Kaiser High Girls Athletic Locker Room, Oahu – Design and construction funds for new athletic and locker and shower facilities for female students to meet gender equality requirements at the school. There is currently only a physical education (PE) locker room for female students.

$3,500,000 – Pahoa High and Intermediate Gym, Hawaii Island – Design and construction funds for renovations and expansion of the school’s gymnasium to include a wrestling and locker/showers room.

$3,000,000 – East Kapolei Middle, Oahu – Design funds for a new school to address projected needs in the Kapolei area, which is currently served by Ilima Intermediate, Ewa Makai Middle and Kapolei Middle. By completing this school in the near future, a reduction in student enrollment will allow Kapolei Middle to transition off its current multi-track schedule.

$1,000,000 – Pearl City Elementary Electrical Upgrades, Oahu – Design and construction funds to address various electrical and related site work to provide for current and future technology needs at the school. Electrical work includes upgrading electrical transformers and panels, telecommunication systems, electrical outlets and data ports.

$1,000,000 – Campbell High Electrical Upgrades, Oahu – Design and construction funds to address various electrical and related site work to provide for current and future technology needs at the school. Electrical work includes upgrading electrical transformers and panels, telecommunication systems, electrical outlets and data ports.

$880,000 – Honowai Elementary New Classroom Building, Oahu – Design funds for a building with eight classrooms, restrooms, a faculty workroom and custodial closets.

$700,000 – Mauka Lani Elementary Electrical Upgrades, Oahu – Design and construction funds to address various electrical and related site work to provide for current and future technology needs at the school. Electrical work includes upgrading electrical transformers and panels, telecommunication systems, electrical outlets and data ports.

$755,000 – Waipahu High Track & Field Facility Improvements, Oahu – This project will start the design phase of a new synthetic track and field surface at the school. An old cinder track and grass field presently exists, and this project will allow for a competition track venue in the Leeward District, which presently has none.

$550,000 – Pearl City High Track & Field Facility Improvements, Oahu – This project will start the design phase of a new synthetic track and field surface at the school. An old cinder track and grass field presently exists, and this project will allow for a competition track venue in the Leeward District, which presently has none.

$550,000 – Niu Valley Middle New Classrooms, Oahu – Design funds for four new classrooms to support the “International Baccalaureate Middle Year” (IBMY) program at the school. Niu Valley is an accredited IBMY school and all of its students are required to take a second language.

$550,000 – Kohala High Architectural Barrier Removal, Hawaii Island – Construction funds to complete architectural barrier removal at school and provide program accessibility for the disabled in accordance with federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

$500,000 – Hilo Intermediate New PE Locker Room and Renovations, Hawaii Island – Design funds to replace and renovate the PE locker room and shower facilities at the school.

$475,000 – Kanoelani Elementary New Portable Classroom, Oahu – Design, equipment and construction funds for a portable classroom to address school enrollment (approximately 800 students/year), which has required moving a kindergarten class into a teachers’ workroom due to lack of space.

$450,000 – Kaiser High Track & Field Facility Improvements, Oahu – This project will start the design phase of a new synthetic track and field surface at the school to replace the aged synthetic track and grass field and also provide related improvements for facility maintenance and support.

$400,000 – Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate New Science, Technology & Media Building, Oahu – Design funds for a new building. Classroom building on campus, built in the early 1950s through 1962, do not meet standards relating to science, technology or media education.

$200,000 – Waipahu High Campus Retaining Wall, Oahu – Design and construction funds for a retaining wall behind Buildings C to Q in order to alleviate ground movement affecting these buildings. The project may also include landscaping and related improvements adjacent to the planned retaining wall.

$175,000 – Waikele Elementary Play Courts Resurfacing and New Playground Installation, Oahu – This project is to resurface the basketball court and replace aged, outdated and non-functioning play equipment in order to provide age appropriate pre-kindergarten playground equipment.

$120,000 – Pearl City Highlands Elementary Building G Administration Expansion and Renovation, Oahu – Design funds for additional administration space in Building G, which currently has an administration space deficit of more than 60% compared to the size of a typical elementary school.

$75,000 – Lahaina Intermediate Pedestrian Safety Improvements, Maui – Design funds addressing issues such as safe crosswalk placement, an island for pedestrians within the wide driveway and improvements for proper drainage.

$70,000 – Nuuanu Elementary Walkway Roof Repair and Renovation, Oahu – Construction funds for repairs and renovation of the walkway roof from between the administration building and the covered play court. The school has regular rainfall and this has resulted in some parts of the covered walkway to sag.

$2,500 – Moanalua High Auditorium/Performing Arts Center, Oahu – Additional construction funds for a rehearsal hall/band room and instructional support spaces.