At the Hawaii State Mental Hospital in Kaneohe, patients learn to use and rebuild computers in an occupational therapy program. Occupational therapist Hilario Delgado, behind, watches as patients A.J. and Nolan Quintal work on a computer.
Isle schools get
gifts of computersKaneohe State Hospital patients
get an education in rebuilding machines
Three patients at Kaneohe State Hospital did not know anything about computers -- until now.
The three have rebuilt nine donated computers to pass on to schools as part of their rehabilitation.
Jonah Kaakua, a faculty member from nearby Hakipuu charter school, is waiting anxiously for 25 computers from the program. The gift will be "awesome," he said.
Kaneohe occupational therapist Hilario Delgado taught the patients how to work on computers, and they are working on 145 donated by DFS Hawaii.
Sixty of the computers will be donated to four Hawaiian charter schools, Delgado said. The rest will be used in other computer skills classes at the hospital, benefiting at least 70 patients.
The patients have rebuilt nine so far, but their pace will pick up as they become more proficient, Delgado said. Hakipuu, which has the greatest need for the computers, will receive the first batch of them in a few weeks, he added. The rest of the schools will receive about 10 apiece, hopefully by mid-August.
One of the three patients, a man who wanted to be known as "A.J.," said he picked up his enthusiasm to learn more about computers from Delgado, who has built computers from scratch as a hobby.
"This is way over my head ... (but) it's a challenge to learn and maybe someday it could help me get a job," A.J. said.
Knowing that some of the computers will be given to schools "makes me feel good to do it," he added.
Another of the three men, Nolan Quintal, has been working on computers with Delgado for a year and knows enough to help A.J. with the beginning steps of rebuilding the computers.
He said it is his favorite class, but said it was "sad that we can't do it quickly enough" for all 60 computers to be ready for the upcoming school year.
Bully Soares, technology specialist for Halau Ku Mana and Halau Lokahi, said the computers will be a blessing because he does not have time to rebuild and update the computers.
Delgado said, "This is all about trying to build community bridges and give something back."
DFS Vice President Sharon Weiner asked the Aloha United Way to help find people or agencies who could use the computers, not wanting to add them to the landfill.
Amanda Jones, an assistant vice president of the AUW, said most organizations are unaware that the AUW can assist them in finding "good homes for used office furniture, computer equipment and other items. ... In the past we've helped distribute everything from circus tickets to chicken to wheelchairs."
To donate to the AUW, organizations and the public may call 536-1951.
