STAR-BULLETIN / 2000
Enchanted Lake Elementary School was one of the lucky ones outfitted with new playground equipment four years ago. Colleen Momohara talked about the safety improvements.
Projects to begin
at 64 schoolsPlay equipment has been lacking
at some isle schools since '98
Some of Hawaii's children have spent most of their elementary school years without playground equipment, but the long wait is finally nearing an end as projects get under way at 64 schools and are expected to be completed by September.
"It certainly has taken far too long, but we're thankful that it appears that every child will soon have an appropriate place to play on school grounds," said John Friedman, community relations specialist for the Hawaii State Parent Teacher Association, which spearheaded the push for funding to replace aging and unsafe equipment.
Jungle gyms and slides at some schools have been cordoned off in yellow tape or completely absent since the 1998-1999 school year, after the state was sued by a student because a playground was not accessible to the disabled. When officials began to assess the state's inventory of playground equipment as part of the suit's settlement, they found that many structures did not meet federal safety standards.
"The first issue we had to face was whether we were going to compromise on safety, and we decided we weren't," said Ray Minami, director of the Facilities and Support Services Branch of the Department of Education. "We removed the equipment without having any budget to replace it."
Typical concerns with old jungle gyms are insufficient padding for falls, sharp edges on equipment and inaccessibility to the disabled.
Minami said the process has taken years because it took time to get money through the Legislature, and funding came in phases. The department also allowed many schools to custom-design their playgrounds to meet their individual needs, which slowed the process as well, he said.
Since construction began in December 2001, new equipment or resilient surfacing has been put in at about 100 schools, according to a DOE report. Another 64 will be completed by September. That leaves 28 schools still awaiting their projects, which are now budgeted at $750,000 for each of the following two fiscal years.
At Pearl City Elementary School, Principal Susan Hirokane said her older students are so thrilled to have their new equipment that the school had to adjust its play schedule to accommodate everyone safely and make sure it was not overcrowded.
"The kids in the upper grades truly enjoy playing on it," she said. "Some of them are big, taller than I am, but they were so hungry to have the experience."
Pearl City's play structures were installed with help from the military, Hirokane said. The military's Joint Venture Education Forum is taking responsibility for projects at a dozen schools, and private groups have also contributed to the cause.
Students at Waimanalo Elementary and Barbers Point Elementary will return from spring break to brand-new playgrounds, two of the projects most recently finished. At Pauoa Elementary School, new playground equipment has been chosen and is expected soon.
"Everyone's really looking forward to it," said Brenda Tome, a clerk at the school, which is on spring break. "Parents have been inquiring about when we'll be getting the new equipment. The kids will finally have a chance to run and climb on safe equipment."
Friedman said playgrounds provide far more than an outlet for restless children and are a crucial part of their education.
"Children learn many of their social skills -- how to share, how to take turns and how to get along with others -- on the playground, so not having playground equipment and unstructured play time can be very detrimental to their social well-being," he said.
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Schools receive new equipment
Playground projects at these 64 elementary schools are scheduled to be completed by September:Aina Haina
Ala Wai
Aliiolani
Anuenue
Barbers Point
Eleele
Ewa
Ewa Beach
Hale Kula
Haleiwa
Hana
Hickam
Honokaa
Hawaii School for the Deaf & Blind
Jefferson
Kaaawa
Kaahumanu
Kaala
Kahakai
Kahului
Kailua
Kalanianaole
Kaleiopuu
Kalihi-Waena
Kaneohe
Kaunakakai
Kekaha
Keonepoko
Kihei
Kilauea
Kilohana
Kipapa
Koloa
Lanai
Lanakila
Lihikai
Liholiho
Likelike
Maili
Manana
Maunaloa
Mililani Mauka
Mokulele
Nanaikapono
Nanakuli
Nimitz
Pahoa
Palisades
Palolo
Pauoa
Pearl Harbor Kai
Pope
Puohala
Solomon
Wahiawa
Waiakea
Waianae
Waihee
Waikele
Waikiki
Waikoloa
Wailuku
Waimanalo
Wheeler
