Portable classroom structures used during last year’s emergency lava evacuation for Keonepoko Elementary School will now go to two public high schools — including Kealakehe High School — in an effort to reduce classroom overcrowding and help with a renovation project.
Portable classroom structures used during last year’s emergency lava evacuation for Keonepoko Elementary School will now go to two public high schools — including Kealakehe High School — in an effort to reduce classroom overcrowding and help with a renovation project.
The Hawaii Department of Education leased the 10 portable structures to create Keonepoko Elementary School North in October when the June 27 lava flow threatened the school. In May, the emergency was lifted and the elementary students and staff returned to their original location.
The department will now purchase the structures for $1.6 million and move them to Kealakehe High in Kailua-Kona and James Campbell High on Oahu.
Two of the larger structures will go to Kealakehe to provide four “swing space” classrooms for use during a science building renovation project. Eight will go to Campbell High to provide 15 classrooms. These portable structures have built-in air-conditioning units.
The state expects the work to be complete by January.