The University of Hawai'i-Manoa College of Education, in a joint project with Hawaii Open Source Education Foundation and Pan-Pacific Distance Learning Association, has constructed a "new again" computer lab for Ma'ili Elementary School.

In cooperation with these organizations, the college raised funds to build the lab, using computers that were originally designated as eWaste.

"What really made the project unique is that the computers were destined for the scrap pile," said Dr. Paul McKimmy, director of Technology and Distance Programs in the education college.

Available software includes OpenOffice for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations; and a variety of educational software also available under public license. Typing, mathematics, graphics and spelling software are immediately available at every computer. With this model, maintenance and lab administration is simplified – only the server needs to be maintained. No licensing fees are required for the software, freeing funds for other priorities