GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $1,000,000 TO SEAGULL SCHOOLS FOR TWO NEW EARLY EDUCATION CENTERS IN WEST O`AHU

For Immediate Release:  May 18, 2005

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released a $1,000,000 grant-in-aid for Seagull Schools to design and construct two new preschools on two separate one-acre parcels of donated land in Ko Olina and `Ewa Beach.  These two new facilities, which comprise the largest child care infrastructure project in Hawai`i, will help relieve the child care shortage in West O`ahu.

The first phase of construction at each school will result in classrooms for 100 children, an administration office building, and parking spaces.  The second phase will provide classrooms for an additional 80 children at each school.  When completed, the two preschools will provide care and early education for 360 children ages two to five, and employment for 30 full-time employees.

“The demand for these centers is so great in West O`ahu that we expect the facilities to be at capacity with keiki from the first day we open,” said Chuck Larson, Seagull Schools executive director.  “We appreciate the Governor’s efforts to expand early education programs.”

The release of the state funds are in line with the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s initiatives to support programs that enhance early childhood education opportunities.

“Focusing on a child’s first five years is critical to future academic success, for in these formative years, a child’s interactions and experiences strongly influence brain development and shape the way they learn, think and behave for the rest of their lives,” said Governor Lingle.  “As West O`ahu continues to develop and grow, the new Seagull Schools child care centers will ensure that the children have the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to be fully prepared to succeed when they enter kindergarten.”

The estimated total project cost including the land is $10,699,197.  Haseko, Inc. donated 1.25 acres at Ocean Pointe and Ko Olina Resort and Marina donated one acre of land for use by Seagull Schools, Inc.  The value of the donated land is approximately $2,150,000.  Additional grants came from Bank of Hawai`i Foundation, the James and Abigail Campbell Foundation, McInerny Foundation, Samuel and Mary Castle Foundation, GN Wilcox Foundation, Frear Foundation and a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Loan. 

Construction is expected to be completed by April 2006.

Seagull Schools, Inc., a private non-profit corporation, is one of the state’s largest child care providers serving approximately 600 children through four preschools – Kailua, Early Education Center, Kapolei on O`ahu and Mauna Lani on the Big Island.  All four of these Seagull School locations have waiting lists, as do most child care facilities throughout the state.  The release of these funds will allow Seagull Schools to carry out its mission to respond to the expanding early education needs of Hawai`i’s diverse community.

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For more information, contact:
Lenny Klompus  
Senior Advisor – Communications  
Phone:  586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043