Waipahu High School to get new building

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Waipahu High School will get a new building next year to replace two portable classrooms on campus.

Gov. Linda Lingle announced yesterday she has set aside $4,765,000 for construction of an eight-classroom building.

"Our administration is committed to tackling the backlog of school maintenance and repairs," Lingle said.

Design consultant firm Mitsunaga and Associates was hired in May 2003 to design the building. The design work, valued at $300,000 is in addition to the projected construction funds, bringing the total price tag for the project to $5,065,000.

The building will include a special-education classroom, two resource classrooms, three general classrooms, a chemistry classroom and a biology classroom.

It will also include a faculty room, a student services coordinator's room and a custodial center.

Bidding for the construction project is expected to start in June. Construction is set to start in January.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or at kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.