Grandmother got ball rolling on new playground
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer
KAIMUKI — Whenever Louise M. Fleming dropped off her grandson, Rhansen "Kainoa" Mars, at Kaimuki Christian School she would look with dismay at the sloping playground, cracked surface and aging equipment. She thought something needed to be done, and she decided to take the lead.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser
She offered the school a $50,000 grant if it could raise an equal amount, and together they could build a new playground. The school's Parent Teacher Guild, Kaimuki Christian Church, the Samuel N. & Mary Castle Foundation, the Atherton Foundation and the Weinberg Foundation pitched in, and the playground was completed recently at the school at the corner of Harding and Koko Head avenues.
Kaimuki Christian School students have a new playground to romp around, thanks to benefactor Louise M. Fleming, who put up $50,000.
On the old playground, balls would roll toward the street, and the equipment was old and rusty and did not meet federal safety standards, said Fleming, 59.
"It was really unsafe," Fleming said.
At first, principal Mark Gallagher thought Fleming was thinking of donating enough money to purchase one piece of equipment for a playground he acknowledged was an embarrassment. Little did he realize that her grant would spur the completion of the project this summer, he said.
"She was so thrilled with the progress of her grandchild and she came to me wanting to do something for the school," Gallagher said. "I presented her with a plan for just one piece of the playground, but Ms. Fleming had other ideas. She was willing to be there for the big picture."
Today the playground stands as a testament to Fleming's generous spirit, Gallagher said.
In an extensive renovation that ultimately cost about $190,000, the school hired contractors to blast through rock, build retaining walls and even off the sloping playground.
Today the surface is soft and level. The structure is unique and is attractive to all age groups, Gallagher said.
"I really wanted to get more people involved with the fund-raising," said Fleming from her Hawai'i Kai home. "With the matching grant, everyone feels a part of the playground. Instead of helping just one student, my grandson, I've helped all 215 students. That brings joy to me."
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
