Kealakehe Elementary breaks ground on $16M classroom building | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Work recently began on Kealakehe Elementary School’s new $16 million classroom building that state education officials said will expand learning space, better serve the growing
student population, and connect the Kailua-Kona school’s upper and lower campuses.

The two-story, 13,000-
square-foot building will add four classrooms, special
education spaces, an outdoor classroom, a covered learning lanai, faculty workroom, offices and storage, according to the state Department of Education.

Two pedestrian bridges will link the structure to existing buildings, allowing students and staff to move safely across the sloped campus, officials said.

The building was designed by Urban Works Inc., with construction management provided by the West Hawaii District Office under the state Department of
Accounting and General Services.

Nan Inc. has begun construction, with completion anticipated in September 2027.

“This building has been a bridge, literally and figuratively, connecting the school, partners and our students’ education,” Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi said in a news release. “From the support of the new DAGS district office to the designers who offered a solution that met school needs within site constraints, we are looking forward to this new building connecting the upper and lower campuses and elevating the learning environments for students, teachers and staff.”

To create a welcoming
environment for young learners, “the design blends neutral tones with the natural landscape, accented by the copper roofing and pops of color in building outcroppings. The intentional use of Hardie clapboard siding on the exterior is reminiscent of residential material and gives the structure a homey look and feel,” DOE officials said in the news release.

“Our school community has been waiting in anticipation for our new building,” Kealakehe Elementary Principal Wendy Daniel said. “We are excited for this new building to support our increasing student population and lay the foundation for future generations of Warriors to learn and grow.”