Posted on: Tuesday, June 7, 2005

At least four schools to get new ceilings

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Contractors will replace aging plaster ceilings containing asbestos in at least four public schools, the result of a statewide inspection prompted by January's collapse of a classroom ceiling at Kailua Intermediate School.

More schools could get in line for renovations as inspectors finish determining which ceilings contain asbestos or are in danger of falling.

Schools that will get immediate help are Kaimuki High School (five rooms to have ceilings replaced), McKinley High (two rooms), Ala Wai Elementary and Baldwin High (one room each).

On Jan. 14, a portion of a ceiling fell in Room 219 at Kailua Intermediate. Eight students and a science teacher were treated for minor injuries, but state officials said no one was exposed to hazardous materials.

The collapse prompted the state to inspect ceilings at all public schools, specifically to inventory old plaster ceilings — since replaced by dropped ceilings or other modern construction techniques — and to see which have asbestos or are deteriorating.

The Department of Accounting & General Services looked at 3,800 school buildings and found plaster ceilings in 261 rooms or areas at 50 schools.

Plaster ceilings found were placed in one of three categories:

• Those showing signs of water stains or deterioration, and a confirmed presence of asbestos. Kaimuki, McKinley, Ala Wai and Baldwin are in this category.

• Those showing signs of water stains or deterioration, but more tests needed to see if asbestos is present. Forty-five ceilings at 20 schools are in this category. They are:

Farrington High, Kaimuki High, Kalihi Kai, Kapalama Elementary, Kawananakoa Middle, McKinley High, Aliamanu Intermediate, Kipapa Elementary, Leilehua High, Mililani High, Moanalua High, Wahiawa Elementary, Wheeler Elementary, Wheeler Middle, Waipahu Intermediate, Kahuku High & Intermediate, La'ie Elementary, Baldwin High, Hilo High and Hilo Intermediate.

• Those showing signs of water stains or deterioration, but with no presence of asbestos. Two hundred seven ceilings are in this category at the following schools:

Honolulu District: 'Aina Haina Elementary, 'Anuenue Elementary, Central Middle, Dole Middle, Haha'ione Elementary, Kaimuki Middle, Kaiser High, Kalakaua Middle, Kalani High, Lunalilo Elementary, Ma'ema'e Elementary, Manoa Elementary, Niu Valley Middle, Roosevelt High, Washington Middle.

Central District: 'Aiea Elementary, Aliamanu Elementary, Makalapa Elementary, Salt Lake Elementary.

Leeward District: Barbers Point Elementary, Highlands Intermediate, 'Ilima Intermediate, Wai'anae Intermediate.

Windward District: 'Aikahi Elementary, Castle High, Enchanted Lake Elementary.

Maui: Lahainaluna High.

Big Island: Hilo Union, Konawaena High.

Ceilings in which the presence of asbestos is unknown will be tested and if asbestos if found, they will be replaced in accordance with state and federal asbestos-removal guidelines.

Work by structural engineers, who will cut access holes in the ceilings as they did at Kailua Intermediate to do up-close assessments, is expected to cost about $665,000.

"The hope is the majority of rooms in question would not have to be immediately replaced but regularly monitored," said Richard Soo of the Department of Education Safety & Security Services.

Repairs at Kailua Intermediate School cost $25,000 per room, and none of those rooms had asbestos, Soo said.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181 or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.