Posted on: Thursday, January 20, 2005

15 schools getting playgrounds

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Gov. Linda Lingle has released $1.13 million to install or improve playground equipment at 15 public schools, leaving only about a dozen elementary schools without playgrounds that meet federal safety standards.

The Department of Education in 1998 condemned the school playgrounds after learning they did not meet federal standards. Equipment was torn out as the DOE sought money for new playgrounds.

Last April, the DOE announced that 120 playground projects had been completed since construction began in December 2001, and the DOE expected another 69 to be completed by the end of last year.

With yesterday's announcement that another 15 schools will receive playground money, only about a dozen schools are still without playgrounds, said DOE spokesman Greg Knudsen.

"The project has been going on for a number of years and most schools do have new and safe playground equipment available," Knudsen said. "So we're looking forward to the completion of the replacement of those playground sites."

Knudsen yesterday did not have a list of the schools still waiting for new equipment.

Elementary schools on O'ahu that will receive money for playground equipment are: Kapolei, Lincoln, Kahala, Koko Head, Mauka Lani, Noelani, Makakilo and Ka'iulani. The Maui schools are Makawao, Kamehameha III and Kamali'i. On the Big Island, the schools are Holualoa, Hilo Union, Waimea and Kapi'olani.

The Department of Accounting and General Services will select consultants this month and the projects are expected to be completed by mid-2006, the governor's office said.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.