Work starts on Waimanalo Pre-Plus school
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
WAIMANALO — The children wore orange hard hats.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
The educators wore straw-and-paper lei.
Waimanalo Elementary School officially began construction today on the state’s sixth Pre-Plus program for preschoolers. The program will accept 20 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families to help prepare them for kindergarten.
And everyone, from the politicians to the parents to the custodians, wore the smile of accomplishment.
Then, with the simple turning of dirt by 10 shovels today, Waimanalo Elementary School officially started construction on the state's sixth Pre-Plus program for preschoolers.
Afterward, like a pint-sized exclamation point, a group of children sang "If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands."
The school principal, Marian Holokai, could barely contain her excitement. She has been at the school for 17 years and knows the value of an early start to learning.
"Today is a good day for me," she said. "Nothing is going to make today junk. This has been a dream of mine for a long time."
The program will accept 20 3-and-4-year-olds from low-income families to help prepare them for kindergarten. It's one of 26 facilities that will be built statewide on elementary school campuses over the two years.
Research has shown that early childhood education makes a difference in future academic success.
"And for my kids in Waimanalo, they have always had the challenge of entering school and having to catch on and catch up," Holokai said. "Now with Pre-Plus, maybe they can catch on sooner."
Toni Farm, assistant director for Head Start, the private sector organization that will run the program, said she hopes construction of a portable classroom, complete with chairs and books, will be done by July 1. She made a promise to teachers and parents who attended the ceremony today.
"We are not just babysitters," she said. "I want the Legislature to know that. We are going to provide a quality preschool experience. With Pre-Plus we will give children another opportunity to put the right foot forward."
Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.
