09/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 23:57
HŌLUALOA - The Hawai'i State Department of Education released three design options under a long-term master plan that calls for phasing out temporary wooden portables on the historic Hōlualoa Elementary School campus and replacing them with new facilities to serve the West Hawai'i Island community. Feedback is being sought through the end of the month.
The designs were shared Monday at a community meeting at the school, which sits at an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet above sea level. The campus, which originally opened in the 1890s, serves approximately 432 students in grades pre-K to 5.
The master plan was pursued after roadway speed issues and the buildout of wooden portables on the opposite side of a road and utility easement from the main part of campus created safety concerns for students. The easement provides access to residential parcels mauka of the school.
The intent of the master plan is to map out the phased construction for replacement facilities for the school's portable structures and to address the road and utility easement running through the campus. Given the challenges around securing funding for HIDOE school projects statewide, the master plan will address the most critical issues within two phases of construction.
The three design options layout different campus configurations but all are designed to: create permanent classroom spaces and traditional school resources such as a library, administration building and speciality classrooms; alleviate traffic queuing from the highway fronting the school by creating designated space on the campus for drop-off and pick-up; and remove safety concerns from the road and utility easement that currently runs through the existing campus.
Kanako Furchi of Design Partners, Inc. presented the design options at the community meeting and said that while the three designs vary, there is a possibility of "mixing and matching" features among the three designs. Architects for the project said the designs will be respectful and blend in to the natural beauty of the area, but have modern features.
The presentation was followed by breakout sessions where attendees could provide comments on each of the design options, and rank their preferences.
The master plan will determine a preferred master plan option. The design team for the first phase of the campus improvements will complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) based on the preferred master plan option, and complete further design, engineering and technical evaluation before completing the design for Phase 1. The EA process will include another community presentation of the updated design and environmental impacts.
Once a base design is selected, it could take approximately three years to complete the design and seek the needed permits. From there, the Department would seek legislative funding to put the project out for bid.