A new Boys &Girls Club campus is planned for Keaau with funding from state, federal and private sources.
“This was accomplished through years of grant writing and partnership developments,” said Chad Cabral, chief executive officer of Boys &Girls Club of the Big Island since 2016. “You need trusted community partners that are willing to help.”
In March, U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele announced his office had secured $6.6 million in federal funding for community projects, $1 million of which will help launch the club’s Keaau-Puna Youth Development Community Center, the first for the district.
“The question was, how can we get closer to those who need us the most,” Cabral said. “And the best program you can have is your own stand-alone facility.”
Four acres of land adjacent to Keaau Elementary were donated by W.H. Shipman, and local architect Robert Iopa is providing the plans.
Courtney Hamakawa, Department of Education community liaison for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, noted that at just a half-mile from town, the facility would have a significant impact for families in the area.
“The community of Keaau is the fastest-growing district in the state,” said Hamakawa, citing its affordability while noting it has the second-highest population of homeless children on the island. “Hopefully, a facility can provide another hub of support.”
On Monday, the state announced $600,000 in funds for the facility, resulting from the work of state Sens. Chris Todd and Joy San Buenaventura. An additional $50,000 came from private sources, including the Max and Yetta Karasik Family Foundation.
With roughly $1.6 million in funding, Cabral is still nervous about the development of the facility.
“With the high cost of construction materials, we don’t know if that’s going to be enough,” he said. “But we’re hopeful we can stretch the dollar to help fund Phase One.”
Phase One would include clearing land, obtaining permits, completing above- and below-ground infrastructure, and setting up covered spaces and bathrooms for students.
“Programming will continue to be free of charge for kids,” said Cabral.
The Keaau Development Center plans to offer academic support, transportation, nutritional supplementation, recreational activities and organized sports activities.
Prepandemic, a Keaau-Puna makeshift facility, pitched on grass with temporary structures at the elementary school, accommodated 120 children.
“We know there’s more kids who really need this service,” Cabral said.
Both Cabral and Hamakawa hope the facility will come to resemble the 14-acre campus in Hilo, complete with a full kitchen, baseball fields, an indoor gym, computer labs and covered areas for students. But a delay in the construction of the facility could increase its overall cost.
“My concern is the project will be delayed due to county permitting issues,” said Cabral. “I really hope the system improves.”
The group currently is securing a contract with the Department of Education, making sure funds are contracted in, and is waiting for the release of Capital Improvement Project funds from the state Legislature.
“Once it’s built, parents and kids will have a safe, reliable and long-term resource,” said Cabral. “It might happen ten years from now, but the start is happening now, and we’re excited about it. It’s been a long time coming.”
The goal of the new facility, and of all Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the Big Island, is to address generational poverty.
“We’re trying to give them hope beyond childhood and their school years,” Hamakawa said.
A Workforce Development Program is underway for all locations, providing pathways for students to identify island-based, in-demand careers.
“Why not invest in our kids and teenagers, get them trained and educated, then have them jump into these vacant positions,” said Cabral, who is hoping to partner with local police and fire departments as well as first responders and other community organizations. “If you help us to build the workforce, get them training with an informal network of support, we’ll help to get them positions.”
Additional plans to support students pursuing higher education include assisting with application fees and tuition, helping secure scholarships, and providing support for housing.
“We want to provide tools and resources for a child who is homeless or living in poverty, so that after high school, they have resources and networks of support to become successful in their careers and break this cycle,” Cabral said. “That’s where Workfore Development will come into play.”
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
