Gov. Neil Abercrombie still has to release the money, according to a press release from the Hawaii Senate. Sen. Will Espero, whose district includes Ewa Beach, helped secure the funding.
$1 million of the funding is going to Ilima, while Campbell is getting $2.3 million. The money is designated for school-wide “heat abatement” technology, site improvements and equipment, according to the press release.
“Ewa Beach is notoriously known to be one of the hottest places on Oahu,” Espero said in a statement. “These funds will help to make learning and teaching a lot more enjoyable for both teachers and students.”
Espero also commended the schools for speaking out about their sizzling classrooms, often noting that they can get as hot as 93 degrees.
Students and faculty from Campbell regularly sounded off about the conditions, rallying for legislative efforts to alleviate the heat and even staging a protest at the state Capitol urging lawmakers to address the issue.
Nearly 500 students attended the September 2013 event.
Campbell High has emerged as the poster child for what advocates argue is state’s struggle to accommodate 21st learning trends and Hawaii’s growing population by failing to invest in and upgrade its school facilities. Hawaii spends less per student on facilities than does any other state.
Photo: Two Campbell High School students rally for school A.C. at the Capitol in September 2013. (Alia Wong/Civil Beat)
— Alia Wong
