‘Design-build’ should be used by state more

There’s little doubt that the “design-build” approach used by the state Department of Education in the completion of its newest campus, Ho‘okele Elementary, was a big success, getting the Kapolei school ready for opening in time for students returning to class this week.

There’s only this question: Why can’t this be done for all school construction projects — or even for projects built statewide?

For the DOE’s part, Dann Carlson, assistant superintendent heading the Office of School Facilities and Support Services, has good news: The Ho‘okele solution, which avoided delays lasting months or longer, is already being replicated in coming construction projects.

One, a classroom building planned at Kahului Elementary is a few months away from a contract being awarded, Carlson said, but it will also be a project both designed and constructed by the same contractor.

The Ho‘okele school community has been watching its school construction avidly for the past 16 months and knows the story, but others should take note of the project and what it means for the real lives of real families.

The project was built on 12 acres provided by D.R. Horton Hawaii, the developer of the Mehana subdivision, with Kiewit handling the design and construction of the $38.3 million campus.

This is Oahu’s fastest growing district, and overcrowding at schools is a critical concern. Getting construction done within the abbreviated timetable means that neighboring Kapolei Elementary no longer will have to operate on a multitrack schedule — an adaptation that overburdens inadequate facilities and limits scheduling options, all to accommodate an oversized student body.

Ho‘okele has capacity for 750 students and on opening day will receive enough of those children to let Kapolei revert to a single-track school, a relief to their parents and students.

As for the Ho‘okele kids themelves, they’ll be treated to brand-new facilities enabled with wireless Internet and a one-to-one digital device program. Too few Hawaii public school students have educational enhancements such as these.

Carlson said the design-build method would not help the DOE whittle its repair and maintenance backlog. These more routine jobs do not generally require significant design work; for new projects, it’s the improved coordination of the same contractor handling both processes that brings the advantage.

For example, certain construction requirements, such as site preparation, can take place in advance of the design work completion, and with communication occurring in-house, there are fewer missed elements needing correction later.

The process still must meet state procurement requirements, with bidders enabled to protest awards. But the specifications can be written to consider more than the lowest bid, Carlson said, because the chosen contractor also must show capacity to handle both design and construction, and within a compressed time.

There is no reason the same approach couldn’t be taken within other departments of state government, and lawmakers should discuss ways to lay whatever groundwork is needed to make that happen.

What was a dirt field a year and a half ago is now a school with a name that translates as “wayfinder” — an apt name for officials looking for more efficient way to manage construction projects.