'Aiea Pre-Plus facility may open soon
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
After 17 months of sitting empty, the little preschool on the grounds of 'Aiea Elementary may soon be allowed to open, to the benefit of dozens of low-income children in the area.
The lack of a working fire hydrant nearby had kept the preschool closed since construction was completed in October 2002, but the Navy, the city and the state began talking to each other about how to solve the problem after it was brought to light in Tuesday's Honolulu Advertiser.
The 'Aiea Elementary site is among five of 13 Pre-Plus program buildings that remain closed due to fire code violations and other problems more than a year after construction was finished. The 'Aiea situation, involving multiple jurisdictions, was considered the most difficult to resolve.
Capt. Stephen Barker, commanding officer of the Navy's public works center, read the story and immediately made a call to the state.
"This is so great for the kids," said Arthur Kaneshiro, principal at 'Aiea Elementary School. "It's going to be a real help in the overall achievement for the students."
An old fire hydrant across from the school is owned by the Navy and was disconnected in 1998 when it closed and demolished its facility. 'Aiea Elementary School's fire protection status was not affected because codes governing elementary schools are less stringent than those for preschools.
Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Davis said yesterday that the Navy is willing to turn on the hydrant, which it owns, but must first get permission from the city Board of Water Supply, as well as money from the state to pay for repair and maintenance of the water line.
Navy's move
Under federal law, the military may not compete with a local public utility unless the utility cannot provide a needed service. And the Navy must charge a fair market value for its services, Davis said.
"If the Board of Water Supply poses no objection, and we are paid fair market value to activate the hydrant, then we can provide the hydrant services to the school," Davis said.
The Navy estimates it will cost about $5,000 to make needed repairs to the water line and restore water to the hydrant, and about $150 a year to flush and test the hydrant.
Duane Kashiwai, design branch chief for the state Department of Accounting and General Services' public works division, said there is now a good chance an agreement can be reached quickly .
"We need to make phone calls and cover our bases, but it looks a lot more promising than it has in the past," Kashiwai said. "Hopefully, this thing will resolve itself soon. It seems like it is possible now. All we've got to do is come up with agreements, and it looks like it will be done."
Program supported
The Pre-Plus program of preschool education for low-income children is a public-private partnership: The state provides the buildings rent-free on school grounds, while licensed, accredited private providers bid to operate the preschools.
Legislators approved $5 million for the program in 2001. The plan was to use $2.5 million in each of two years to build preschools in communities with needy children lacking a sufficient number of preschools.
Thirteen preschools have been built, but bringing them up to building code has drained more than $1 million from the planned second group of classrooms, so only seven to nine will be built, according to the state.
Studies show that early childhood education has a bearing on future academic success. In addition to better language and math skills, children who have a quality preschool experience are less likely to drop out, repeat grades or require special education.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
