Schools to get new playground equipment

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer

More than two years of frustration will end for 39 public schools when they finally receive new playground equipment and other safety improvements next month.

•	These elementary schools will receive playground equipment and soft surfaces by the end of December: 'Ahuimanu, Ali'iolani, Hale Kula, Iroquois Point, Ka'elepulu, Kahakai, Kahalu'u, Kamaile, Kamiloiki, Kapa'a, Kaumana, Kea'au, Keolu, Kohala, La'ie, and Laupahoehoe High and Elementary.
•	Other recipients will be Lili'uokalani, Lunalilo, Mililani Uka, Moanalua, Na'alehu Elementary and Intermediate, Nimitz, Pa'auilo Elementary and Intermediate, Pearl Harbor Kai,* Pohakea, Red Hill, Wailupe Valley and Wilson.
•	The following, already with equipment that meets standards,will get just soft surfaces and concrete pads: Pearl Harbor Kai,* Pearl City Highlands, Alvah Scott, Mokulele Pearl Ridge, Waimalu, Wai'alae, Kapunahala, Hokulani, Manoa and Ha'aheo.
	* Pearl Harbor Kai shows up twice because of the modest scope of its requests. Source: State Department of Education

The state Department of Education had earlier said it would likely be the end of this school year — next May or June — before equipment was installed.

But under pressure from lawmakers and the public, DOE officials awarded contracts in October to several companies to provide by the end of this month the soft rubber surface and equipment to 39 of 85 schools submitting proposals.

By March, an additional 30 schools should get equipment too, said Rep. Cynthia Thielen R-49th (Kailua, Kane'ohe Bay Drive). The rest of the schools will get equipment as money permits.

"I've been really pushing this," Thielen said yesterday. "Sometimes I've talked to them (the DOE) daily and other times weekly. I felt the process was taking too much time."

During a meeting between lawmakers and DOE officials Wednesday, she learned about the equipment for the first 39 schools.

Under prompting from lawmakers, the DOE offered a timeline for Phase 2, with installation expected by March 25.

"I guess this is good news," said Al Suga, acting assistant superintendent for the DOE's division of administrative services. "When I came on board, the superintendent was unhappy with the time lag. We went through a learning experience.

"Now I think we're on line."

More than two years ago, the Legislature appropriated $4.5 million for the DOE to spend on playground equipment.

Officials decided that each school could get $55,000 each for the equipment and the rubber surface underneath.

A total of 85 schools, out of more than 250 statewide, submitted proposals. Some schools didn't need new equipment because their playgrounds are next to city parks. At many others, parent groups held walk-a-thons, auctions and magazine drives to raise money to buy and install equipment for their schools.

The school proposals were received at the DOE more than 18 months ago.

Then the bidding process became mired in a logjam of paperwork as state officials tried to figure out what would be the best way to get the most for the money and give each school what it asked for. At one point, questions from equipment providers prompted DOE officials to redo each individual bid specification.

So news that the first playground sets are on their way came as a relief to parents and school officials.

Judy Toguchi, principal of Wailupe Valley School in 'Aina Haina, said the new equipment will be welcome.

"The state said it would be coming by the end of December," Toguchi said. "We're looking forward to it."

Joey Carroll has gotten used to Wailupe Valley's being without playground equipment.

While at Wailupe, his son had to make do with jump ropes, balls and a few swings. His daughter has even less to play with. They've since taken out the swings.

"The school could have used equipment a long time ago," Carroll said. "My daughter's gotten used to it. The equipment will get used, that's for sure."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.