Church plans
high school
for LeewardThe proposal is part of an
expansion of St. Joseph in Waipahu
A new Catholic high school is planned for Leeward Oahu as part of a $10.7 million expansion of St. Joseph Church and School in Waipahu.
"That's been one of the dreams of parents in this area, to have a Catholic high school in the Leeward area," said Principal Beverly Sandobal.
The City Council's Zoning Committee approved a key permit for the project yesterday, and the Council is scheduled to take up the matter March 24.
"There's been a lot of talk over the years to do something out on the Leeward side," Hawaii diocese spokesman Patrick Downes said. "There are no Catholic high schools on the Leeward side; they're all sort of bunched in Honolulu. So there had been a desire to have one somewhere out there."
The last Catholic high school built was Damien Memorial High School in Kalihi in 1962.
St. Francis School, a Catholic school for girls grades six through 12 in Manoa, is also looking at the possibility of relocating to Kapolei, although no decision has been announced.
St. Joseph School runs from preschool through eighth grade. Currently, the school has 415 students. The high school would add 260 students.
The school wants to expand into a high school as part of a plan that includes enlarging St. Joseph Church, which apparently is bursting at the seams.
Downes said St. Joseph's Church is the most-attended church in the diocese. "It has surpassed others as far as actual people going to church."
Planning consultant Keith Kurahashi told the Zoning Committee yesterday that 600 people attend each of the six Sunday services.
Population growth is another reason for developing a Catholic high school in Leeward Oahu.
"That's where the biggest growth is, and people have got to drive all the way in if they want to go to Damien or St. Louis or Sacred Hearts," Downes said. "It's been one of those desires that people have had for a long time and the need is obviously there, but it's just a huge enterprise and if St. Joseph's is thinking about it, more power to them."
Sandobal credited St. Joseph's pastor, the Rev. Joven Junio, with helping to move the project along. "He's very visionary. He's willing to take the risk."
The plan calls for the church expansion -- a 3,413-square-foot addition to the existing church building -- to be completed in the first phase of construction. Sandobal said the church is aiming for a January 2005 groundbreaking.
"On our part, I think we'd like to see where we are financially within the next five to 10 years minimum," Sandobal said. "I know that our preschool students who are 4 (years old) now, their parents are very hopeful that at least the ninth grade will be in place by the time their children get there."
The school improvements will include buildings for the high school, including construction of a 2,552-square-foot addition to current classrooms, a new 26,000-square-foot classroom and cafeteria building, and a new 12,000-square-foot gymnasium and music room with covered walkways.
The church is raising funds for the school buildings, Sandobal said.
"It just takes a lot of money," she said.
A performing arts concert fund-raiser is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 23 at the school. Tickets are $5. For more information, contact the school.