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Hula Bowl helps
hot students, too

The Maui college game will
deliver new A/C units for
two Kihei schools

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- Maui's hot college all-star football game is donating air conditioners to two of the hottest schools in the state.

Hula Bowl Maui organizer Lenny Klompus said he decided to help Kihei Elementary School and Lokelani Intermediate School after reading a Honolulu Star-Bulletin story about young students trying to beat the heat.

"Everybody's saying education is important," said Klompus, who lives part-time on Maui. "Well, it's time we put our money where our mouth is."

Star-Bulletin stories described how temperatures in the Kihei schools hover in the 90s in portable classrooms without air conditioning.

"The kids there are sweltering. It just seemed somebody should do something about it," he said.

Alvin Shima, Kihei Elementary principal, said parents purchased air conditioners several years ago for some portables. He said the new air conditioners will replace units that are not working or are barely working. "Some are dying," Shima said.

Kihei parent Jeanne Simanek said she's very happy about the donation, especially with summer approaching and a hoolaulea scheduled at the school today. "That's so wonderful."

Klompus presented five air conditioners today and has committed to donating five more to Kihei Elementary at a cost of between $5,500 to $8,000.

He said he will also donate units to nearby Lokelani Intermediate.