Hawai'i 3R's awards $72,000
By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer
In its first two years, the Hawai'i 3R's program has reached 53 public schools, coordinating more than $5 million in repairs.
Building on its success, the program has announced its latest round of grants for the fall semester and winter break.
More than $72,000 in grants will go to Mililani Middle, McKinley High, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole Elementary and Intermediate on the Big Island and Waihe'e Elementary on Maui in an effort to complete $150,000 in repairs.
Hawai'i 3R's marked its second anniversary last month, noting that 63 projects had been performed at the 53 schools. The state estimated the cost of the work at more than $5 million, but Hawai'i 3R's managed to do it for a little more than $2 million. That's a sweat equity savings of about $3 million.
Projects at the schools include painting, renovating light fixtures and partitions and repairing walkways.
The mission of 3R's — Repair, Remodel and Restore Hawai'i's Schools — is to bring outside financial and human resources together to tackle a backlog of repairs and maintenance at the public schools that soared close to $1 billion a few years ago.
Working with state agencies, trade unions, businesses, military, community leaders, parents, teachers and students, the program tries to match state, federal and private financing with volunteerism — "sweat equity" — both skilled and unskilled, to reduce the backlog.
The program, started by U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, focuses on the things that need to get done but fall below the state's radar because they aren't critical to health and safety.
By using volunteers, 3R's is able to multiply the effect of dollars invested in maintenance work.
This is the eighth round of Hawai'i 3R's grants.
Most recently, the Hawai'i 3R's program in August started projects at Queen Ka'ahumanu Elementary School and Roosevelt High School.
At Queen Ka'ahumanu, an estimated 60 volunteers replaced furniture that was removed for recarpeting work on several classrooms. They also did additional recarpeting in other classrooms.
At Roosevelt High, an estimated 70 volunteers, many from the
Honolulu Fire Department's Battalion 1 Third Watch, painted bleachers in the stadium area. Volunteers also installed toilets in the locker rooms.
Hawai'i 3R's will award grants to those public schools that step forward with private contributions or professional volunteerism of equal or greater value to the requested grant amount. Grant awards are limited to $50,000 per application.
For more information, visit www.hawaii3rs.com. The next application deadline is Nov. 1.
Staff writer James Gonser contributed to this report. Reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
