Kihei High School
ready for class

The new high school is
OK'd by the state school board
and will open this August

By Gary T. Kubota
Maui correspondent

KIHEI, Maui >> State school board members have approved the first public high school in South Maui and the first public charter school on the Valley Isle.

Kihei High School is scheduled to open Aug. 23 in temporary classrooms at the Kihei youth center.

Charter schools, managed by nonprofit boards under state education guidelines, are intended to provide new approaches to traditional subjects.

The Kihei school plans to serve up to 60 students in grades 11-12 in the first year, followed by up to 120 students from grades 9-12 in the second year.

Supporters say creating the charter school will enable the state to have a high school in South Maui sooner than it would under the normal process and without a heavy financial commitment.

The school's permanent location near the Maui Research & Technology Park in Kihei is also expected to enhance the development of science courses and chances to attract family-minded research companies to the Valley Isle.

Under the plan, the school would be located on 100 acres of land partially owned by Haleakala Ranch and the Maui Research & Technology Park. School buildings would be developed privately and leased back to the state.

Steve E. Warren, a board member for the new Kihei school, said he has received several inquires from developers interested in building the school, and people have offered to contribute donations.

"There are many people with money ready to come forward," Warren said.

Warren said the nonprofit board plans to hire a headmaster/teacher, three teachers and two student aids.

The board also approved three other charter schools, including the first statewide online public school offering college preparatory courses and other classes leading to a high school diploma.

The Hawaii E-Charter School was previously a program used to supplement courses to public school students statewide.

The state would contribute money for the high school's operation on a per-student basis of about $5,000.

The public charter school is intended to be a full-scale high school offering the same curriculum as state schools in Hawaii.

Supporters also hope to develop additional curricula through a partnership with high-technology corporations and the University of Hawaii. Some 900 South Maui students travel more than six miles each weekday to attend Maui High School in Kahului.

Students say the distance has deprived them of the opportunity to participate in after-school activities. Kihei is one of the fastest-growing communities in the state.