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Question: Whatever happened to plans for a new physical education building at King David Kalakaua Middle School in Kalihi? It was supposed to have been opened in fall 2012.
Answer: Construction was recently completed and the building will be ready for use by July 19, said Alex Da Silva, spokesman for the state Department of Education. The 2013-14 school year begins Aug. 5.
Kalakaua Middle School Principal Lorelei Aiwohi said planning for a new physical education building goes back a decade.
The old building was demolished because it had structural damage and did not meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Da Silva said.
The new structure is near Kaiwiula Street, on the eastern edge of campus next to the old one, Aiwohi said. Installing lockers that arrived last week is the last remaining task, Da Silva said.
The building has 5,243 square feet of space and cost $2.3 million to build, he said. It has girls and boys locker rooms with showers, a multipurpose classroom, teacher’s office, storage room and laundry room. Solar water heaters have been installed with a gas heater for backup, Da Silva said.
Aiwohi said that physical education programs are necessary for a “well-rounded middle school child.”
“It’s going to be beautiful when it’s finished,” she said of the new building. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Kalakaua Middle School is part of the Farrington High School complex and serves 1,054 students in grades 6, 7 and 8.
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COURTESY ALEX DA SILVA