Gov. David Ige recently released $1.8 million in capital improvement project funding for design, construction and equipment to complete a multipurpose building for Kanu o ka ‘Aina New Century Public Charter School in Waimea.
Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye, who represents the district where the school is located, thanked the governor and said the building would have a certified commercial kitchen and spaces devoted to performances and athletics.
“I am particularly pleased that the release of these CIP monies will include financing for the plans, design and construction for a new commercial kitchen space,” Inouye said in a statement released Tuesday. “… A certified commercial kitchen will go a long way in ensuring food security for the Waimea community.”
Rep. David A. Tarnas, whose district includes the school, also thanked Ige in a statement, saying the project will benefit students and the community.
“Once completed, this school kitchen will significantly increase our community’s resilience by enhancing our capacity to provide fresh and nutritious food to our students who need it the most,” Tarnas said.
Kanu o ka ‘Aina is on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in rural Waimea. The pandemic wreaked havoc on economic stability and food security of the families of the school’s students, as many parents lost employment when the hotel industry shut down.
To assist with food insecurity issues, Kanu o ka ‘Aina applied for and received CARES funding to provide weekly beef distributions for four public schools in the community.