High-tech learning
reaches Kealakehe
KEALAKEHE, Hawaii » West Hawaii has a new computer center, comparable to an electronic public library, and a bus loaded with electronics to carry technology throughout the region.
Officials dedicated the two facilities yesterday, created with grants totaling $230,000 from foundations funded by two technology entrepreneurs.
A $60,000 Computer Technology Center opened at Kealakehe Intermediate School, and a $170,000 "TechnoStudio" bus was dedicated with it, the state Department of Education announced.
The facilities were made possible by a $115,000 grant from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, created by the founder of the Dell Inc. computer company, and with an equal amount from the SalesForce.com Foundation, created by SalesForce.com owner Mark Benioff.
Michael and Susan Dell and state schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto attended the afternoon ceremonies at Kealakehe Intermediate.
Department employee Phyllis Shimatsu credited West Hawaii Complex Superintendent Alvin Rho with obtaining the grants.
The technology center at Kealakehe will be open to students during the day and to the general public in the evening, according to the department. It has computers, printers, scanners, video cameras, digital cameras and laptop computers. It was be operated in the evening by the Kealakehe Neighborhood Watch, led by Elaine Watai.
For the TechnoStudio, an 80-passenger, 1993 Bluebird school bus was stripped down and rebuilt by students at Konawaena High School. It retains seats in the front to carry students as the bus goes from school to school but has officelike computer work stations in the back.
The bus is self-contained, with a generator and an air conditioner, and will eventually be handicapped-accessible, Shimatsu said.
TechnoStudio is the second computer bus on the Big Island funded by Benioff and Dell. Since 2001 the smaller Just Think Mobile has been operating in the North Hawaii area, with additional funding from the National Science Foundation.
The Just Think Mobile and TechnoStudio will probably be working together in the future, predicted Just Think project coordinator Dean Swanson.