Financial plan for charter school OK’d

The Public Charter School Commission approved a new financial plan for Halau Lokahi Charter School on Wednesday, paving the way for the school to reopen on Aug. 14.

The small campus in Kalihi had faced possible closure after it ran up a debt of more than $400,000, and stopped paying rent and even its staff before the end of the school year.

The commission offered the school a new contract contingent on a wholesale change in leadership, including a new governing board and replacement of its longtime director, Laara Allbrett.

A new board was appointed this month. Its members are Kama Hopkins, Keone Nunes, Andre Perez, Faye Uyeda and Kari Kalima, who is Allbrett’s daughter and was Halau Lokahi’s operations specialist.

The commission will monitor the school’s financial operations monthly. The proposed budget is based on an enrollment of at least 178 students. The school had 183 students in kindergarten through 12th grade at the start of the past academic year. Halau Lokahi offers a hands-on curriculum focused on Hawaiian studies as well as online education.

The financial plan’s approval allows the commission to release state funding for the school. Administrators have indicated that once funds are received, they will pay overdue salaries. The school also will pay its bill to Hawaiian Electric Co. and make its current rent payment for its facility.

Its landlord will allow the school to repay back rent over the next few years, with no interest payments, according to the commission.

"By taking these measures over these last difficult weeks, the commission has made the best of a very painful situation, while fulfilling its responsibilities to students, parents and the public," said Tom Hutton, executive director of the commission.

"The school has a plan for paying off its debts instead of leaving these significant liabilities to the public, it can make a fresh start with new leadership and, most importantly, students still are able to attend a school they and their families love."