Posted on: Tuesday, May 15, 2001

Hawai'i Kai school getting wired in style

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Bureau

HAWAI'I KAI — Haha'ione Elementary School's computer capability shot forward with the completion of a seven-year project to wire its classrooms to the Internet.

Now, with the anticipated move of its computer lab to spacious quarters this summer, the school can continue its work as a science and technology center.

"I think it's a great thing," said parent Leslie Sarale, PTSA president. "I feel it's been a really long process to be linking up to technology. It's getting better and better, but there are no funds from the state and federal to help us."

Haha'ione was built in 1967 when Hawai'i Kai was a young community. Along the way, the school was deemed a science and technology center for students, said principal Carolyn Nakamoto.

This year the school completed hard-wiring in all nine buildings that connect its classrooms to the Internet, a $200,000 project.

Now the plan is to move the school's cramped computer lab from its two locations — a classroom and the back of the library — to a large space that had been used by the state Department of Education for training.

The move will take place before students come back to school Aug. 1.

"I've been trying to get that building back for three years for Haha'ione use," said Nakamoto.

But the school needs the help of the community to build walls, even temporary room dividers in the space, she said. The space, equivalent to four classrooms, is across from the school's science lab and will be shared with the school's special education classes.

School administrators want to start right away, before teachers report back to class July 30. School ends June 1.

To get permanent walls through the state means waiting two years or so to get on the school priority list, Nakamoto said.

"We'll be busy this summer to make things as comfortable as possible," she said. "We're thinking it's a good opportunity to relocate the computers to this space.

"Any assistance the community can provide, we'll be happy to receive it."