GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $3,030,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT BIG ISLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

For Immediate Release:  January 7, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $3 million for a new gymnasium at Pāhoa High and Intermediate School and $30,000 for a security fence at DeSilva Elementary School on the Big Island.

“We want our schools to be both safe and well-equipped,” said Governor Lingle. “The project at Pāhoa High and Intermediate will provide the school with its own gym so that it can further develop its physical education program. At DeSilva Elementary, the simple addition of a fence will help protect the safety of hundreds of students each year.”

“The East Hawai‘i community recognizes how important schools are to having a strong and healthy community and appreciates the Governor’s continuing support of projects to upgrade our schools,” said Dylan Nonaka, the Governor’s East Hawai‘i liaison. “The improvements at Pāhoa High and Intermediate and DeSilva Elementary will benefit students, teachers and staff as well as our community.”

Pāhoa High and Intermediate School: 
$3 million has been released for construction of a new gymnasium on the Pāhoa  High and Intermediate School campus. Currently, the athletics program shares a gym adjacent to the school with the county, which results in frequent scheduling conflicts. The total project cost is estimated at $10.4 million, with $7.4 million previously released for design and construction. Design is scheduled to be completed in February. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2008 and be completed in July 2009.

DeSilva Elementary School: 
$30,000 has been allotted to install a chain-link fence to secure the back side of the DeSilva Elementary School campus. This will provide a physical deterrent to keep students away from the nearby forest and stream and also prevent trespassers from coming onto school property. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2008 and be completed in June 2008.

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For more information, contact:

Lenny Klompus     
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043