Posted on: Friday, March 8, 2002

3Rs grants to help pay for repairs at schools

Advertiser Staff

Eight Hawai'i public schools will receive grants to help them tackle the repair and maintenance backlog on their campuses, officials with the Hawai'i 3Rs project announced yesterday.

The 3Rs — Repair, Remodel and Restore — is an effort to use volunteers, grants and tax incentives to repair schools at a fraction of what it typically would cost the state.

Kalihi-Waena Elementary, Kaua'i High, Kaumuali'i Elementary, Lahainaluna High, Moanalua Middle, Nanakuli Elementary, Waimalu Elementary and Wilson Elementary each have been awarded a portion of $130,000 to help improve their schools.

Most of the schools will use the money for repainting, but Lahainalua will replace light fixtures and handrails and Wilson Elementary will re-carpet its library.

The schools will match the grants with "sweat equity," a combination of private contributions and professional volunteerism. For example, Kalihi-Waena Elementary will match its $25,000 grant with $35,000 in volunteer labor.

This is the second round of Hawai'i 3Rs grants.

Last year, the state provided initial financing of $1 million and tax credits for qualified professionals participating in the program. The U.S. Department of Defense contributed $100,000.

The state's school maintenance backlog stands at about $640 million, according to the Department of Accounting and General Services, though there are attempts to dramatically increase state spending for repairs this year.

After learning of the magnitude of the maintenance problem, U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye proposed the Hawai'i 3Rs initiative last year.

Applications for the next round of money are due May 1. For more information, call Ann Yamasaki, 3Rs executive director, at 440-3876.